SURGICAL

MANAGEMENT
OF STRABISMUS

EUGENE M. HELVESTON, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology

Indiana University School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology
Section of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Indianapolis, Indiana

FIFTH EDITION
With 852 illustrations
With love and gratitude

to my wife

Barbara
 Preface to the fifth edition
The 33 years since the publication of the Atlas of
Strabismus Surgery has seen a steady growth in the
number of ophthalmologists specializing in the diag-
nosis and treatment of strabismus. Membership in the
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology
and Strabismus has grown to more than 500 mem-
bers and the International Strabismological
Association boasts 300 members in 25 countries.
Several journals deal exclusively or largely with the
subject of strabismus and several high quality texts
have been published dealing with strabismus diagno-
sis and management. Moreover, an explosion in the
field of information technology has brought people
together and facilitated the distribution of information
in a way not dreamed of when the first edition of this
book was written.
This fifth edition is renamed Surgical
Management of Strabismus reflecting the fact that the
major emphasis has shifted from a description of sur-
gical procedures to a discussion of why and how
these procedures are used to treat the patient with
strabismus. There have been relatively few substan-
tive changes in surgical technique. It is how these
techniques are applied including the 'what' and 'when'
which make up the bulk of this book.
A new concept that has influenced surgical man-
agement during the last decade is that of the pulleys
associated with the horizontal rectus muscles. Study
of these structures made possible in part by new
imaging techniques, but more importantly by meticu-
lous study of anatomic specimens, has helped make
the management of 'A' and 'V' more logical and effec-
tive.
Included in this book are 135 strabismus cases
managed by me either in the clinic or by means of
consultation carried out by me and other mentors on
patients sent by dozens of partners from countries
around the world. These patients' consultations were
made possible by ORBIS Telemedicine, Cyber-Sight
that is supported by the server at Flight Safety in New
York and provided through the generosity of Mr.
Albert Ueltschi. By viewing these images and read-
ing the discussion that accompanies each, it is my
hope that the reader will by critical analysis along
with comparison of the patients seen in his or her clin-
ic hone skills for a more effective personal approach
to the whole patient leading to better outcome.
This book represents the 'full circle' in that it is
based on experience during a professional lifetime in
the care of patients with strabismus. It is my hope
that what I have learned and then shared here will be
of use to those who follow.
As with any effort like this there are many
deserving people to thank. First among these is Mrs.
Lynda Smallwood who more than any person is
responsible for this book being completed. She not
only typed the manuscript, but also assembled and
formatted the entire book making it ready for the
printer by simply submitting it in electronic format
ready for duplication. Truly a monumental task!
Others who worked hard and effectively are Leslie
Abrams, Michelle Harmon, Gwen Kopecky, Sharon
Teal who so ably carried on the art work begun by
Craig Gosling, and Ann Hammer who read the first
three chapters. I am grateful to the many Cyber-Sight
partners who submitted hundreds of cases, and to my
fellow Cyber-Sight strabismus mentors, especially
Dan Neely who faithfully and expertly responded
when called on. I thank all of my teachers, especial-
ly Gunter von Noorden my mentor beginning in 1966
and my friend for life. Most of all, I thank my wife
Barbara for her unselfish and unfailing support, and
my two daughters both of whom had the good sense
to marry outstanding strabismologists.
Eugene M. Helveston
i
 From the
Preface to the first edition
There have been several excellent texts on stra-
bismus including strabismus surgery in the past few
years, but developments have moved rapidly. Recent
advances in technique have greatly expanded the
options available to the strabismus surgeon. More
accurate diagnostic tests leading to a better under-
standing of the pathophysiology of strabismus and
amblyopia have convinced some surgeons of the need
for surgery in infants as young as 5 months of age.
Improved anesthesia and an increasing boldness on
the part of the strabismus surgeon have led to outpa-
tient extraocular muscle surgery in some instances
without patch and without ointment or drops. The
limbal and cul-de-sac (or fornix) extraocular muscle
exposure techniques have largely superceded the
transconjunctival incision in the interpalpebral space
among younger surgeons. The retinal surgeon has
opened new dimensions in the degree to which sub-
Tenons space may be explored.
There have been several excellent texts on stra-
bismus including strabismus surgery in the past few
years, but developments have moved rapidly. Recent
advances in technique have greatly expanded the
options available to the strabismus surgeon. More
accurate diagnostic tests leading to a better under-
standing of the pathophysiology of strabismus and
amblyopia have convinced some surgeons of the need
for surgery in infants as young as 5 months of age.
Improved anesthesia and an increasing boldness on
the part of the strabismus surgeon have led to outpa-
tient extraocular muscle surgery in some instances
without patch and without ointment or drops.
New sutures, adhesives, muscle sleeves, and
implantation materials have proved useful innova-
tions. Globe fixation sutures, conjunctival recession
and relaxation procedures, forced duction and active
forced generation tests, as well as topical anesthesia
for extraocular muscle surgery, have greatly enlarged
the vista of strabismus surgery.
For these reasons it seems appropriate at this
time to compile an up-to-date atlas of strabismus sur-
gery. This atlas employs schematic drawings
designed to illustrate at each step only that anatomy
significant to the step shown for easier orientation of
the reader. Procedures that I have found useful have
been given emphasis; those that are controversial or
that I have not found to be particularly helpful have
been omitted. Some "favorite technique" may be
omitted simply because I prefer an alternative choice;
those that I think should be avoided will be clearly
labeled so.
No attempt will be made to give a set of surgical
recipes that will result in a predetermined amount of
straightening. Instead, general concepts leading to a
philosophy for strabismus surgery will be presented.
My intent is that this atlas will be of help to the prac-
ticing strabismus surgeon and the resident in ophthal-
mology by bringing together in one volume many
techniques from a variety of sources for quick and
easy reference.
Several people who assisted significantly in their
own way to make this atlas possible deserve my sin-
cere thanks. Dr. Gunter K. von Noorden, teacher,
critic, and friend, introduced me to strabismus and to
the pursuit of academic ophthalmology. Craig
Gosling worked with industry and imagination on the
illustrations, the heart of any atlas. My residents and
many of my colleagues, in particular Drs. Marshall
M. Parks and Phillip Knapp, provided both stimulus
and direction.
Eugene M. Helveston
iii
 Contents

Section 1

1 History of strabismus surgery, 1 Anesthesia for strabismus surgery, 67

Preparation of the patient in the operating room, 70
Layout of the operating room and anesthetic
2 Surgical anatomy, 15 apparatus, 72
Patient monitoring, 73
Overview, 15 Magnification in strabismus surgery, 74
Palpebral fissure size, 15 Wearing a mask, 74
Extraocular muscle size, 16 Outpatient surgery: the day of surgery, 75
Pulleys, 18 Postoperative care of the patient, 76
Palpebral fissure shape, 21
Epicanthal folds, 22
Conjunctiva, 23 Section 2
Tenons capsule, 24
Surgical anatomy of the rectus muscles, 28
Characteristics of the extraocular muscles, 31 4 Work-up of the strabismus patient, 79
Motor physiology, 31 Design of the surgical procedure, 79
Underaction and overaction, 34 Step 1: Patient evaluation, 81
Surgical anatomy of the inferior oblique, 35 Diagnostic considerations for strabismus with
Lockwoods ligament, 37 restrictions, 90
Superior oblique, 38 Differential intraocular pressure test, 98
Whitnalls ligament, 41 Step 2: Results to be expected from surgery, 108
Trochlea, 42 Summary of steps 1 & 2 in the design of strabismus
Anterior segment blood supply, 48 surgery, 117
Vortex veins, 51 Step 3: Guidelines for application of surgical
Orbit and extraocular muscle imaging, 52 options, 117
Growth of eye from birth through childhood, 54 Step 4: Surgical technique, 117
Sclera, 56 Step 5: Follow-up of the surgical patient, 120

3 Parasurgical procedures and 5 Diagnostic categories and

preparation, 59
Overview, 59
Physical examination, 60
Consent for strabismus surgery, 60
Instruments used in strabismus surgery, 63
Sutures and needles for strabismus surgery, 64
classifications of strabismus, 123
Congenital esotropia, 125
Intermittent exotropia, 142
Brown syndrome, 147
Duane syndrome, 149
Superior oblique palsy, 151

v
Contents
Section 3
6 Mechanics of surgery, 163
Techniques of exposure, 163
Limbal incision, 171
Incisions for exposing the obliques, 174
Obtaining improved exposure, 175
Cuffed superior limbal incision, 176
7 Recession of a rectus muscle, 177
Overview, 177
Excessive recession, 177
Recessions measured from?, 178
Medial rectus recession, 179
Lateral rectus recession, 181
Superior rectus recession, 182
Inferior rectus recession, 184
Rectus muscle recession technique, 186
Variations in suture and needle placement, 188
Vertical displacement of the horizontal rectus, 190
Resection effect of suture placement posterior to the
muscle hook, 192
Hang-back recession, 193
Partial disinsertion, 194
Recession of a rectus muscle with sparing of the
anterior arteries, 194
Slanted recession, 196
Y split of the lateral rectus, 197
8 Resection of a rectus muscle, 199
Overview, 199
Horizontal rectus resection (medial and lateral rectus
muscles), 199
Management of the intermuscular membrane in
horizontal rectus resection, 200
Resection clamp technique for rectus muscle
resection, 201
Double-arm suture technique for rectus muscle
resection, 205
Resection of the superior rectus, 206
Inferior rectus resection technique, 207
Tandem suture technique for rectus muscle
resection, 208
Plication (tuck) of a rectus muscle, 210
Displacement of horizontal rectus muscles with
resection for A and V patterns, 211
Vertical effect from horizontal rectus resection and
recession, 212
vi
9 Surgery of the obliques, 215
Oblique muscle surgery, 215
Weakening the inferior oblique, 216
Strengthening the inferior oblique, 225
Strengthening the superior oblique, 235
10 Marginal myotomy: technique and
indications, 241
Historical review, 241
Quantifying the marginal myotomy, 242
Technique for a double 80% marginal myotomy,
244
Indications for a marginal myotomy, 245
Other considerations, 248
11 Faden operation (posterior fixation
suture), 247
Posterior fixation suture (retroequatorial myopexy,
faden operation), 247
Placement of a posterior fixation suture after
detaching the muscle, 251
Placement of a posterior fixation suture without
detaching the muscle, 251
"Reinforced" posterior fixation suture, 252
Combined posterior fixation and recession, 252
Adjustable faden, 252
12 Adjustable sutures: techniques for
restriction, 255
Overview, 255
Technique for the adjustable suture, 255
Tandem adjustable suture, 259
Adjustable suture considerations, 260
Conjunctival recession, 261
Traction sutures, 263
13 Muscle transposition procedures, 265
Overview, 265
A review of muscle transposition procedures, 265
Rectus muscle transfer, 268
Scleral augmented muscle-tendon transfer, 270
Knapp procedure, 272
Superior oblique tendon transfer, 273
Transposition for head tilt without oblique muscle
dysfunction, 274
 Contents

14 Botox (Botulinum A-toxin), 275

Overview, 275 Inclusion of the inferior oblique in the lateral
The drug, 275 rectus insertion, 471
Indications for Botox, 276 Muscle-tendon rupture, 472
Use of Botox in treatment of strabismus, 276 Hyphema, 472
Retrobulbar Botox for treatment of nystagmus, 277 Posterior chamber hemorrhage, 473
Botox for treatment of benign essential Motility disturbance after nonmotility procedures,
blepharospasm, 277 473
Technique of injection, 277 Postoperative Brown syndrome, 473
Botox for the treatment of blepharospasm, 281 Symblepharon, 474
Injection techniques for blepharospasm and facial Orbital hemorrhage, 475
spasm, 281 Orbital cellulitis, 476
Endophthalmitis, 476
Postoperative communication, 477
Section 4 Operation on the wrong muscle, 477
A homily, 477
Operation on the wrong patient, 477
15 Telemedicine: distance medicine, 285
Undesirable overcorrections and undercorrections,
Real time vs. store and forward, 285 478
Moving or still, 285
Image size, 285 Reading list, 479
Computer, 286
Start of Cyber-Sight, 286
Telemedicine consultation cases, 292 Index, 495

16 Strabismus case management, 359

17 Complications in strabismus surgery,

455
Complications of strabismus surgery?, 455
Criteria for success after strabismus surgery, 455
Informed consent, 457
Diplopia, 457
Reoperation, 458
Loss of vision, 458
Postoperative nausea and vomiting, 458
Acute, allergic suture reaction, 459
Chronic suture granuloma, 460
Reaction to synthetic absorbable suture, 460
Subconjunctival cysts, 460
Prolapse of Tenon's capsule, 462
Suture abscess, 463
Delle, 463
Lid fissure anomalies, 464
Ptosis of the upper lid, 465
Scleral perforation, 465
Slipped or lost muscle, 466
Anterior segment ischemia, 469
Persistent overaction of the inferior oblique
muscle, 470
Inferior oblique adherence syndrome, 470

vii
 Section 1

Chapter 1: History of strabismus surgery

Chapter 2: Surgical anatomy

Chapter 3: Parasurgical procedures and preparation

 1
History of strabismus surgery

Strabismus, recognized from the earliest times In 1816 Dulspech, an orthopedic surgeon, performed
because the eyes are readily observable, has changed tenotomy of the Achilles tendon as treatment for club
little in form throughout the years. However, its caus- foot with a technique not too different from strabis-
es are now well understood, and its treatment under- mus surgery. Gibson experimented with extraocular
goes regular revision and refinement. The condition,
at first, was considered to be a visitation of an evil
spirit and incurable. The earliest physicians suggest-
ed treatment with the only available methods--
potions, purification, and diet. In the seventh centu-
ry, masks designed to redirect the visual axes were
described. Curiously, variations of this type of treat-
ment are still advocated by some today in the form of
sector occlusion, despite 13 centuries of failure!
The practice of strabismus surgery began inaus-
piciously in 1739 with the efforts of John Taylor
(Figure 1). He is reported to have had ...a consider-
able amount of sense..., according to Stewart Duke-
Elder, who said Taylor undoubtedly recognized that
strabismus was a muscle abnormality that could be
treated by dividing the extraocular muscles.*
However, Taylors surgery was not successful. On
the contrary, Taylor is said to have been a showman
who may have only snipped the conjunctiva, patched
one eye, and left town before the results could be
assessed. By patching the unoperated eye and having
the operated eye take up fixation, Taylors procedure
would have given the appearance of being successful
since the operated eye would appear to have been
straightened. John Taylors position in history
appears to be one of ridicule rather than honor.
After Taylor, several surgeons contributed to
the body of knowledge that led to successful, scien-
tifically founded strabismus surgery. In 1752, Figure 1
Eschenbach made the comment each oculist dreams Abundant showmanship and fast carriage rather than
from time to time that it may be possible to dissect surgical skills were outstanding attributes of the first
completely or partially the offending rectus muscle. strabismus surgeon John Taylor (1703-1772), an itinerant
healer who is depicted in this eighteenth century drawing.

*Duke-Elder S and Wybar K: System of ophthalmology, Vol 6, Ocular motility and strabismus, St Louis, 1973, The CV Mosby Co.
von Noorden GK (ed): History of Strabismology, Belgium 2002, J. P. Wayenborgh

1
Chapter 1

muscle transection for treatment of esotropia in 1818

but did not report this until 1841. White, in 1827,
made similar attempts without success. Stromeyer
performed extraocular muscle tenectomy on a cadav-
er in 1838, and a year later, Dieffenbach performed
successful myotomy of the medial rectus on a 7-year-
old boy with esotropia. His priority was contested by
Cunier, but the honor has been granted to
Dieffenbach. The year 1839 is generally considered
to be the beginning of modern strabismus surgery.
In the nearly century and a half since its begin-
ning with Dieffenbach, strabismus surgery has under-
gone many refinements, but the basic principles have
changed little. The orthopedic principles that were
adhered to at the beginning of strabismus surgery
remain as the primary guiding factors today. To these
have been added new knowledge of the central nerv-
ous system influences and psycho-physical factors
related to strabismus. Understanding of neural mech-
anisms combined with knowledge and appreciation of
both the dynamic muscle forces and the physiologic
and pathologic restrictive aspects of ocular motility
make strabismus surgery a science. Improved diag-
nostic techniques, such as passive duction testing, Figure 2
interpretation of differential intraocular pressure, dif- Taylor may have only snipped the conjunctiva, patched the
ferential saccadic velocity measurement, electroocu- eye, and then left town. He is said to have operated twice
logram testing of nystagmus, and generated muscle on Bach, the musician of Leipzig, who later became blind.
The antics of Taylor may have been responsible for a 100-
force testing, have enabled more accurate diagnosis year delay in the establishment of strabismus surgery as
leading to more accurate surgery. part of the surgeons armamentarium.
Improved imaging techniques, especially those
using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have made
possible the noninvasive morphologic study of
extraocular muscles. Technical improvements in
anesthesia, sutures and needles, implanted materials, A
antibiotics, corticosteroids, and, most recently,
injectable toxins have broadened the scope of strabis-
mus surgery. Recent studies of the origins of the most
common strabismus, essential infantile or congenital
esotropia, have promoted earlier surgery. Strabismus
surgery, frequently done as an office procedure in its
early years, is now once again done on an outpatient
basis.
Strabismus surgery began with weakening pro-
cedures of the medial rectus. These procedures were B
first performed by transecting the muscle and often
produced disastrous results (Figure 2). Shifting sur-
gery from the belly of the muscle to the tendon
reduced the number of overcorrections (Figure 3).
Tendon weakening or lengthening, which avoided
cutting across the full width of the tendon, was sub-
sequently carried out using a variety of ingenious
techniques. The earliest of these were performed Figure 3
A Myectomy of the medial rectus for esotropia, as
without placing a needle and suture through the ten- performed by Dieffenbach in 1839, often produced a
don. Instead, one or more incisions were made in the large exotropia and unsightly medial displacement of the
muscle or tendon, usually at right angles to the long caruncle. The so-called cure may have been only a
axis of the muscle and crossing the midline. Later, slight improvement over the malady.
B Simple tenotomy carried out nearer the insertion
tendon lengthening procedures used sutures. (Figure reduced the number and severity of overcorrections and
4 & 5). lessened caruncle displacement.

2
 History of strabismus surgery

Figure 4
A wide variety of tendon lengthening procedures provided a safeguard against overcorrection and could also be carried out
without sutures, The simple Z tenotomy (Blaskovics, 1912) is still used today for weakening an already maximally recessed
muscle (Chapter 4).
A OConnor E Abadie
B Bishop-Harmon F Verhoeff
C Blaskovics G Terrien
D von Graefe
Some modern surgeons are reporting satisfactory clinical results from tenotomy which does not cut across all fibers, but
more or less nicks the muscle. Biglan reports success treating small vertical deviations by doing incomplete tenotomy of
the superior rectus.

3
Chapter 1

Figure 5
The use of sutures added to the complexity and safety, if not the effectiveness, of tenotomy. Again, the principle was that
a lengthened tendon-muscle would result in reduced muscle pull and therefore produce a change in alignment, shifting the
globe away from the weakened muscle.

4

A B
Figure 6
A Sutures were also used to reapproximate myotomized
muscles to avoid producing more than the intended
result. The sutures were not placed in the sclera. They
were placed only in the cut ends of the muscle and
tendon. The initial use of sutures apparently was for
overcorrected and not primary cases.
Late in the nineteenth century, measured reces-
sion with reattachment of the muscle to the sclera was
carried out. Tendon and muscle tucking or plication;
muscle advancement procedures; and, later, resection
and advancement procedures were also performed
(Figure 6).
Surgery of the oblique muscles began when
inferior oblique weakening was carried out to treat
myopia and asthenopia, not surprisingly without suc-
cess. The superior oblique muscle was considered by
some noli me tangere, loosely translated today as off
limits, in the early twentieth century. However, all
types of oblique surgery had been described by the
middle part of the twentieth century. Fink, in 1951,
said up to a few years ago, all corrective surgical
measures for the obliques were not considered feasi-
ble because of anatomical difficulty.*
Along with oblique muscle surgery and vertical
rectus muscle recession and resection, extraocular
muscle transfer procedures were used for strabismus
caused by muscle paralysis. Although, at first, the
improved alignment after eye muscle transfer proce-
dures was thought to be due to postoperative neuro-
logic reorientation, it became apparent from elec-
tromyographic studies that the effect of an extraocu-
lar muscle transfer procedure was mediated through
mechanical factors.
Technical advances in strabismus surgery have
occurred along with, and in some ways because of,
*Fink WH: Surgery of the oblique muscles of the eye, St Louis, 1951, The CV Mosby Co.
History of strabismus surgery
B Prince (1887) was credited with describing recession
with the tendon actually sutured to the sclera. This
procedure was the forerunner of more accurate and
reproducible surgery.
C Worth (1904) described resection using sutures. This
muscle shortening was accomplished with or without
recession of the antagonist muscle.
advances in anesthesia. A glass of wine and a good
lunch followed by a head lock and a quick surgeon
were early anesthesia. This was replaced by ponto-
caine, cocaine, and ether for general anesthesia, and
later, a wide variety of modern agents were used.
Supporting modern anesthetic agents are the exten-
sive and detailed monitoring devices that provide
instantaneous, real-time recordings of temperature,
respiration, electrocardiographic data, and oxygen
saturation.
Highlights of the history of strabismus sur-
gery from its earliest beginnings in 1739 to the pres-
ent are depicted in the following drawings. They
describe a wide variety of manipulations that sur-
geons employed to straighten the eyes by altering the
state of the extraocular muscle (Figures 7-24). The
statement has been made, Those who do not learn
from history are destined to repeat it. Thus, some
surgical procedures have a tendency to be rediscov-
ered every generation or so by surgeons who may
have overlooked an earlier description. Nonetheless,
strabismus surgery has followed a steady progression,
with improvement through innovations in the surgical
technique, combined with better instruments, more
reliable sutures, safer anesthesia, and a better appre-
ciation on the part of the surgeon of neural, sensory,
and mechanical factors.
5
Chapter 1

Figure 7
Most early recession procedures involved sutures entering and exiting the conjunctiva for added security and to facilitate
removal of silk sutures. Tenons capsule and the muscle capsule were incorporated in recessions and resections. The
muscle is cut between bites of the preplaced suture to avoid loss of the disconnected proximal muscle end. Externally
placed buttons or bolsters added additional support to the recessed muscle, facilitated suture adjustment, and made suture
removal easier.

Figure 8
Jamesons technique for recession included several sutures anchoring the muscle to the sclera. The external sutures could
be removed and loosened or tightened postoperatively if a significant overcorrection or undercorrection was produced.

6

Figure 9
A Early needles were round; had eyes for threading the
suture; and in most cases, had a wire diameter greater
than the thickness of the sclera. These factors made the
ophthalmic needle a formidable weapon.
Figure 10
Peters whip stitch for securing the cut end of the muscle during recession of a rectus muscle is a sound technique that is
still used today.
History of strabismus surgery
B Jameson admonished surgeons to keep the needle in
view while passing it through the sclera, to avoid entering
the globe and creating what he described as panoph-
thalmia.
7
Chapter 1

A B

Figure 11
A A simple tuck for muscle-tendon shortening (strengthen- B When performed near the limbus, tucking tended to pro-
ing) avoided the need for placing a needle through the duce unsightly bulk that could be cosmetically disfiguring.
sclera and produced a shortened muscle without remov-
ing a piece.

Figure 12
Pragnen used gold buttons as bolsters to eliminate cheese wiring of the externalized suture when carrying out resection of
a rectus muscle. This technique allowed postoperative adjustment of the length of the muscle.

Figure 13
Peters modification of the Bishop tucking instrument was
one of several elegant instruments that were designed to
facilitate the tucking procedure. Tucking of the extraocular
muscles was an early favorite muscle shortening strength-
ening procedure.

8
 History of strabismus surgery

Figure 14
An ingenious technique, the OConnor cinch, produced minimal shortening of
a rectus muscle. A large, dull needle was used to weave a multiple-strand
suture through slips of the tendon or muscle. The greater the number of
threads, producing a bulkier suture and a greater diameter of thread, the
more shortening of the muscle is produced.

B
A

Figure 15
A Peter suggested fracturing the trochlea and then shifting B The lateral rectus was shifted for treatment of congenital
and attaching the superior oblique muscle to a point near absence of the inferior rectus.
the medial rectus insertion. This procedure was com-
bined with lateral rectus tenotomy or recession for treat-
ment of third cranial nerve palsy.

Figure 16
A transcutaneous approach to the superior oblique tendon
afforded exposure for tenectomy or tucking. Skin incisions
were commonly used for exposure of both superior and infe-
rior oblique muscles in the early twentieth century.

9
Chapter 1

A1 A2

B C

D E

Figure 17
A1 Wheeler exposed the inferior oblique muscle nasal to E Wheeler strengthened the superior oblique muscle by
the inferior rectus through a skin incision. advancing the central portion of the tendon. He recog-
A2 The inferior oblique muscle was then engaged with a nized that this procedure produced decreased elevation
in adduction. In addition, he recognized that shifting the
muscle hook.
tendon anteriorly produced intorsion and that posterior
B From that exposure the muscle could be weakened by fibers influenced depression of the globe, a concept later
myotomy. credited to Harada and Ito (Jpn J Ophthalmol 8:88,
C The muscle also could be shortened by a tuck. 1964).
D A curious inferior oblique strengthening procedure per-
formed by Wheeler was disinsertion of the muscle fol-
lowed by reinsertion of the cut end into the inferior
orbital rim periosteum.

10
 History of strabismus surgery

Figure 18
Hughes and Bogart exposed the trochlea subperiosteally, freed it, and pushed it backward several millimeters to weaken
the superior oblique. This formidable procedure was accomplished with a transcutaneous approach. No reports of series
of patients having this procedure performed on them were described. It is unlikely that his procedure was done widely; it
indicates the imagination and ingenuity of the early strabismus surgeon. This procedure, when performed inadvertently
after use of the Lynch incision for exposure of the ethmoid sinus, can produce superior oblique underaction, creating the
clinical picture of superior oblique palsy which, in turn, results in diplopia for the unlucky patient.

Figure 19
White plicated the superior oblique tendon medial to the superior rectus using a tucking instrument. He advised placing the
tuck nearer the superior rectus and away from the pulley of the trochlea to avoid having the superior oblique tendon become
hung up in the trochlea.

Figure 20
McLean engaged the superior oblique tendon temporally and brought the redundant loop of tendon temporally. This technique
for tucking the superior oblique tendon was said to reduce the incidence of postoperative limitation of elevation in adduction
by avoiding the trochlea and by reducing the likelihood of adherence of the redundant loop of tendon to the superior rectus.
However, any superior oblique tuck will cause a Brown postoperatively unless the tuck is done in a loose tendon and will result
postoperatively in an equal and normal superior oblique traction test (see chapter 9).

11
Chapter 1

Figure 21
Based on a procedure originally suggested by McGuire, Fink described resection of
the superior oblique tendon after detaching the superior rectus muscle. Removal
of the superior rectus provided improved exposure of the superior oblique tendon.

Figure 22
Fink recessed the inferior oblique muscle using a recession localizer that had a 7 cm handle with 6 mm arms projecting at
90 degrees from each other and a 1 mm tip with a concavity to hold gentian violet for marking. The purpose of the instru-
ment was to allow for an accurate 8.0 mm recession of the inferior oblique muscle. By estimation the recession could be
reduced to 6.0 mm or increased to 10.0 mm.

Figure 23
Following the lead of Duane, White and
Brown weakened the inferior oblique by
disinsertion without reattachment, consider-
ing the procedure safe and effective.

12
 History of strabismus surgery

A B1 B2

C D E

F G H

I J K

Figure 24
Several techniques have been described for extraocular muscle transfer. The underlying principle for each procedure,
except superior oblique tendon transfer, is to shift the pull of antagonist muscles to a point on the globe coinciding with the
insertion of the rectus muscle lying between. The procedures shown have been described by the following:

A Hummelsheim F Schillinger
B1 OConnor G Beren-Girard
B2 Modified OConnor H Jensen
I Uribe
C Wiener
J Knapp
D Peter
K Helveston*
E Hildreth
*done in the case of an absent medial rectus

13
Chapter 1
A limited number of manipulations can be per-
formed on an extraocular muscle. The muscle can be
shortened and then made to stretch, at first under ten-
sion, to the original preoperative distance between
origin and insertion while presumably being more
effective; the muscle can be retroplaced with the
same length of muscle going between two points
closer together than the original origin and insertion;
or a longer muscle connecting the original origin
and insertion can be created with myotomy or tenoto-
my. The insertion can be shifted to a new place on
the globe, retaining the same innervation but having
an altered mechanical effect.
Recent innovations in strabismus surgery
include change in the arc of contact produced by the
Faden operation (retroequatorial myopexy or posteri-
or fixation suture); denervation of the inferior oblique
muscle; detachment of the rectus muscles with spar-
ing of the anterior ciliary vessels; and toxin injection
at the motor end-plate to weaken a muscles function
by interference with nerve transmission at the
myoneural junction. Thermal disruption of selected
eye muscle fibers has been described but has not yet
been proven successful.
Early strabismus surgeons had an accurate
grasp of muscle function but little appreciation for
orbital fascial anatomy. Numerous references to the
encountering of fat during strabismus surgery suggest
that even the best surgeons found orbital fat on a rou-
tine basis. Except for referring to cutting across the
conjunctiva, Tenons capsule, and the muscle capsule,
scarcely a comment on these fascial tissues is found
14
in early literature dealing with strabismus surgery.
Modern strabismus surgery differs significantly from
early strabismus surgery in its attention to detail in
dealing with the orbital fascia and fat. Recent
description of the anatomy of the trochlea, the inferi-
or oblique, and especially of the muscle pulleys has
provided new insight for strabismus surgeons.
These tissues are thought by some surgeons to
be as important as the muscle itself. This book will
emphasize the importance of technique in the belief
that the surgeon who exercises impeccable care when
dealing with all tissues encountered in strabismus sur-
gery will attain better results.
Some operations that have been suggested by
older surgeons or a few contemporary surgeons are
not mentioned even as an option in either the histori-
cal or current sections. These omissions indicate a
bias, which I hope will not result in overlooking use-
ful procedures. Only procedures of sufficient histori-
cal interest or contemporary procedures that have
some rational basis will be described. When appro-
priate, alternative techniques will be described.
The use of adhesives and plastic sleeves and
sheets or caps mentioned in previous editions now are
mentioned here only as a part of the history of stra-
bismus surgery. Like many of the procedures shown
in this chapter, these techniques sounded good, were
tried, but now are relegated mostly to memory.
For a more complete review of the history of
strabismology, the reader is advised to consult The
History of Strabismology edited by Gunter von
Noorden (J. P. Wayenborgh, Belgium, 2002).

Surgical anatomy
Overview
The successful strabismus surgeon has a clear
understanding of the anatomy of the extraocular mus-
cles which move the eyes, and also of the fascia, fat,
nerves, and the blood supply of the eye and orbit.
Although the extraocular muscles, especially that part
anterior to the equator, are the focus of strabismus
surgery, structures such as the conjunctiva, anterior
Tenon's capsule, posterior Tenon's capsule (intermus-
cular membrane and muscle sheaths), and the newly-
described pulleys influence both movement and
alignment of the eyes. The sum of these structures,
including those observed during the course of surgery
and others never seen, work in concert actively and
passively to support, guide, restrict, or modify move-
ment of the eyes both physiologically in health and
pathologically in the case of strabismus.
The surgeon must be concerned with the
mechanics of access to the operative site, first
between the lids and then through the conjunctiva and
Tenon's capsule. A proper start is required if the sur-
geon expects a successful conclusion. The location,
as well as the blood supply, innervation, and action of
each of the extraocular muscles, must be known,
including the contribution of each muscle's intrinsic
blood supply to the nutrition of the anterior segment.
Scleral thickness, which varies according to location,
must be taken into account especially when placing a
needle into the sclera.
The action of each extraocular muscle is influ-
enced by the location of its insertion on the globe and
by the location of its pulley (or equivalent structure),
in particular, those pulleys associated with the medial
and lateral rectus muscles. A thorough understanding
of these anatomic relationships forms the basis for a
logical mechanical approach to surgery on the
extraocular muscles, including recession, resection,
transposition, transection, plication, union, and
chemodenervation. In addition, orbital structures sur-
rounding the globe and extraocular muscles pro-
foundly affect the design, execution, and results of
2
extraocular muscle surgery. The orbital fat must be
recognized, respected, and left undisturbed.
Lockwood's ligament and associated lower lid retrac-
tors providing support to structures that influence the
lower lid position and to the inferior oblique and infe-
rior rectus muscles must be dealt with properly to
avoid lower lid ptosis. Whitnall's ligament associated
with the levator palpebri, while not ordinarily
encountered in the course of strabismus surgery, plays
an important part in surgery of the upper lid. The vor-
tex veins, although often observed in contrast to
orbital fat which is not, should not be disturbed.
Much of the new information about the anato-
my and physiology of the structures of the orbit
comes from laboratory studies using ultrasonography,
computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), and histochemical techniques. Use of
some of these in clinical practice can also aid in stra-
bismus diagnosis and in the design and execution of
successful extraocular muscle surgery.
The following material describing surgical
anatomy and functional physiology is intended to
provide practical information for the strabismus sur-
geon.
Palpebral fissure size
The dimensions of the palpebral opening
increase nearly 50% in width and 20% in height
between infancy and adulthood. Configuration varies
with a persons physical and racial characteristics
(Figure 1). The size and shape of the palpebral open-
ing should be considered at the outset of extraocular
muscle surgery. To start with, a lid speculum appro-
priate to the size of the palpebral opening should be
used (Figure 2). In addition, the surgeon should
expect to encounter more difficulty with exposure
and suture placement in medial rectus recession and
also in patients with a small palpebral fissure or
deeply-set eyes. However, measured recession can be
15
Chapter 2

accomplished even with the smallest lid fissure open-

ing in an infant beginning at 4 months. Limited work-
ing area is not an adequate reason for doing a mar-
ginal myotomy as an initial weakening procedure of a
medial rectus muscle in congenital esotropia simply
because a marginal myotomy is thought to be easier
to accomplish than a measured recession. Extraocular
muscle surgery in an adult with deeply-set eyes and a
smaller than average palpebral opening can be more
difficult than such surgery in a 3- or 4-year-old child
Figure 1
with a normal or larger than normal palpebral open- The average adult palpebral opening is 28 mm long and 10
ing (Figure 3, 4). mm high.
Ptosis, pseudo ptosis, lid retraction, exophthal-
mos, and enophthalmos all represent lid and palpebral
fissure variations that will be encountered and must
be both understood and dealt with in the gamut of
strabismus management. These issues will be dealt
with in more detail during the discussion of clinical
examples.

Extraocular muscle size

Unlike the palpebral opening which differs sig-
nificantly according to age, the extraocular muscle
size, or at least width at insertion, is closer to constant
throughout life. A child with a tiny palpebral opening
is likely to have a medial rectus whose insertion
width is very close to the adult average measurement
of 10 mm. This means that the timing of strabismus
surgery is not determined by either the size of the
palpebral opening or of the extraocular muscles. Figure 2
Lieberman speculums, pediatric (top) and adult (bottom),
Globe size, on the other hand, is significant in the are ideal for strabismus surgery.
design of strabismus surgery. Comparing globe size
and extraocular muscle location, Swan and co-work-
ers pointed out that in newborns, the posterior part of
the globe is relatively smaller than the anterior part,
meaning that a recession of 3 mm could place the
medial rectus at the equator. This is important infor-
mation but not for strabismus surgery, which is not
indicated anyway in the newborn because of immatu-
rity of the binocular system. The globe in the 4-
month-old, an age some consider the earliest appro-
priate for strabismus surgery, is 19.5 mm in axial
length. This is sufficient size to allow an appropriate Figure 3
recession of the medial rectus in congenital esotropia. An average 18-month-old child has a palpebral opening 20
For example, a recession of 9.5 mm measured from mm long and 8.5 mm high.
the limbus places the new insertion of the medial rec-
tus at the equator in a 4-month-old with an axial
length of 19.5 mm (Figure 5). The insertion of the
medial rectus in an infant can be closer than 5.5 mm
from the limbus. This means that a medial rectus
recession, if measured 9.5 mm from the limbus, will
be at least equal to a 4 mm recession, if measured
from a medial rectus insertion that was 5.5 mm from
the limbus. It could also be as large as 6 mm consid-
ering measurement from the insertion, if the medial
rectus inserts 3.5 mm from the limbus as it does in Figure 4
some infants. With continued growth of the globe A newborn has a palpebral opening measuring 18 mm long
and 8 mm high.

16

taking place primarily in the posterior part, the rela-
tive position of the medial rectus insertion will move
anteriorly, and therefore safely, with maturity.
The point of measuring from the limbus is that
this provides a safe technique for performing a larger
recession of the medial rectus, especially in those
cases with medial rectus insertions closer to the lim-
bus (Figure 6). Measurement from the limbus begs
the question, "Is the significant factor in correction of
esotropia the size of medial rectus recession or the
new position of the muscle on the globe?" The
answer may be that both play a role. We do know that
A B
Figure 5
A The medial rectus of a 4-month-old measures
approximately 10 mm at the insertion.
Figure 6
In a 4-month-old with an axial length of 19.5 mm, a recession 9.5 mm from the limbus places the new insertion of the
medial rectus approximately at the equator.
Surgical anatomy
undercorrection of congenital esotropia occurred in
nearly 50% of cases when the maximum for medial
rectus recession was on the order of 5.5 mm from the
insertion as was the rule in the 1960's. This under-
correction rate reduced immediately to approximate-
ly 10% in a series when medial rectus recession was
measured from the limbus. This technique of reces-
sion measured from the limbus, allowing larger but
safe recessions, is now joined by larger recession
measured from the insertion. These larger recessions,
some 7 mm or more, have been implicated in a high-
er overcorrection rate.
B The muscle has been recessed 9.5 mm from the limbus
using a limbal incision.
17
Chapter 2

Pulleys
Around 1990, Joseph Demer and associates
began study of the anatomy and actions of the A
extraocular muscles using high resolution magnetic
resonance imaging on clinical patients and normal
subjects aided in some cases by the use of paramag-
netic MRI contrast agents (Figure 7, 8). This work,
along with detailed histologic and histochemical
study of human and monkey orbital tissue in the lab-
oratory, led to the following summation by the C
authors in 2002. "The resulting reexamination of
EOM (extraocular muscle) anatomy and physiology
has been so revealing as to suggest a fundamental
paradigm shift having broad basic and clinical impli-
cations."
Demer and associates conclusions are summa-
rized as follows: B
1. Orbital structures called pulleys are associ-
ated with each of the rectus muscles and the SAGGITAL
inferior oblique.
2. The pulleys receive the contractile force of Figure 7
The pulley zone is roughly at the junction of the middle
the extraocular muscles and inflect the paths and posterior third of the globe, similar to Listings plane
of the muscles in a "qualitatively similar (see page 32).
manner to the inflection of the superior A Trochlea of the superior oblique - inflection of the
oblique (SO) tendon path by the trochlea" superior oblique.
B Lockwood ligament - the pulley of inferior rectus -- the
(Figure 9). functional origin of the inferior oblique (the functional
3. The paths of the extraocular muscles posteri- insertion of the inferior oblique after distal myectomy).
or to the pulleys (between the pulleys and the C The pulley of the horizontal recti.
annulus of Zinn) remain constant regardless
of the position of the globe. There is no side
slip of the rectus muscles, (except in the case
of an abnormality of the pulley).
4 . The functional origin of the extraocular mus-
cles is at their pulleys (Figure 10).
5. The orbital one-half of the extraocular mus-
cle fibers insert into the pulley and the bulbar
one-half of extraocular muscle fibers pass
forward to attach to the globe at the muscles
insertion (Figure 11).
6. Only that portion of the extraocular muscle
anterior to the pulleys moves in the direction
of the globes movement (Figure 12).
7. Upward displacement of the lateral rectus
pulleys and downward displacement of the
medial rectus pulleys are associated with A
pattern. (Figure 13) Downward displacement CORONAL
of the lateral rectus pulleys and upward dis-
placement of the medial rectus pulleys are Figure 8
associated with V pattern (Figure 14). A Trochlea
8. Pulleys made up of collagen, elastin, and B Confluence of superior oblique tendon and superior
rectus sheath
richly innervated smooth muscle are situated C Lockwoods ligament
in the orbit in the area previously called D Pulley of the horizontal recti
check ligaments. They are not readily distin- E Whitnalls ligament
guishable clinically and require special tech- F Levator palpebri
niques to be seen in the laboratory.
9. Several other pulley abnormalities could be
associated with strabismus entities including:

18
 Surgical anatomy

Figure 9
The pulleys which inflect the paths of the muscle.
A Medial rectus pulley
B Lateral rectus pulley

B
D

Figure 10
The functional origin of the rectus muscles is at the pulleys.

Figure 12
The muscle - tendon anterior to the pulley
A Passes straight in primary position
B Courses upward in upgaze
C Courses downward in downgaze
D The direction of the muscle posterior to the pulley does
not change during up and downgaze

Global
Orbital

Figure 11
The orbital fibers insert into the pulleys of the horizontal
recti and the global fibers insert into sclera.

19
Chapter 2

Y pattern exotropia (pulley instability of

the superior rectus, inferior rectus and lateral
rectus); incomitant strabismus (abnormal
sideslip of rectus extraocular muscle paths in
certain gaze positions); and Brown syndrome
(downward shift of the lateral rectus pulley in
adduction or supraduction).
The strabismus surgeon should be aware of the
existence of pulleys and of their significance when
undertaking the management of strabismus.
Although the surgeon will neither observe nor manip-
ulate these structures except in special cases, they are
nonetheless an important factor in establishing a
proper diagnosis and in designing the best surgical
procedure in many cases. An appreciation of the func-
tion of the pulleys contributes to understanding the
behavior of the eye movements in the strabismus
patient as well as in the normal. Diagnosis, plan for
treatment, and assessment of the outcomes of treat-
ment of strabismus are enhanced by knowledge of the
Figure 13
extraocular muscle pulleys.
Some combination of:
Upward displacement of the lateral recti The reasons that the strabismus surgeon is not
Downward displacement leads to A pattern likely to see the pulleys are several. First, surgery of
the extraocular muscles is carried out beneath anteri-
or Tenon's capsule and in the plane of posterior
Tenon's capsule. It is done anterior to the origin of
anterior Tenon's capsule which itself is just anterior to
the location of the pulleys. Second, dissection car-
ried posterior to the origin of anterior Tenon's capsule
(where it can be seen fusing with the muscle sheath or
posterior Tenon's capsule) will expose extraconal fat,
which both complicates surgery and obscures the sur-
rounding anatomy, including the pulleys. Third,
although the pulleys are located in the orbital fat just
behind the insertion of anterior Tenon's capsule, they
are virtually impossible to identify for what they are.
This should be obvious since these structures escaped
detection for nearly 200 years, in spite of extensive
study of the contents of the human orbit carried out by
many competent investigators.
Prior to the studies of Demer and associates, the
closest anyone could come to identifying these struc-
tures was a description of the check ligaments of
the horizontal recti, Whitnall's ligament superiorly,
the trochlea, and Lockwood's ligament. By asking
the right questions and using advanced techniques for
Figure 14 imaging and histochemical analysis, along with
Some combination of: meticulous dissection and histologic study, Demer
Downward displacement of the lateral recti
Upward displacement of the medial recti leads to V and associates accomplished the difficult task of
pattern describing newly-recognized anatomy. But, as with
so many other discoveries in science, this new revela-
tion came after the earlier work of others which gave
hints of what would be. In this case, the observation
of Urrets-Zavalia, which called attention to the rela-
tionship of palpebral fissure configuration and verti-
cal incomitance, is certainly a precursor to the revela-
tion of pulley displacement. The long known associ-
ation of V pattern with the pronounced antimon-

20
 Surgical anatomy

goloid fissures of Crouzon and the individuals with

true mongoloid fissures who demonstrate an A pat-
tern also provided clues. Limon in Mexico was par-
ticularly instrumental in correlating orbital anatomy
with a variety of strabismus patterns which were no
doubt influenced by the as yet undiscovered pulleys.

Palpebral fissure shape

The palpebral fissure may be level, mongoloid,
or antimongoloid, depending on the relative positions
of the medial and lateral canthi. If the outer canthus is
higher than the inner canthus, a mongoloid palpebral
slant exists (Figure 15). If the outer canthus is lower
than the inner canthus, an antimongoloid palpebral
slant exists (Figure 16). A straight edge held in front
of the palpebral fissure connecting the canthi may be
used to compare the relative canthal height. The nor-
mal relative canthal height depends on race. In
whites, the palpebral fissure is usually slightly mon-
goloid; that is, the lateral canthus is slightly higher
than the medial canthus. Careful measurements of the
Oriental palpebral fissure indicate less mongoloid
slant than would be expected from casual observa-
tion. The mongoloid slant illusion in many cases is
created by the absence of a skin fold in the upper lid
and from a superior epicanthal fold. Figure 15
The palpebral fissure configuration imparts a A esotropia in a patient with mongoloid palpebral fissures.
characteristic appearance to an individual including,
at times, a pseudostrabismus. This assumes clinical
significance because it is a common cause for referral
for suspected esotropia especially in infants.
Vertically incomitant strabismus (A and V patterns)
in esotropia seems to follow a pattern related to the
slant of the fissures. This pattern was first pointed out
by Urrets-Zavalia who noted that in esotropia a mon-
goloid fissure tends to be associated with an A pattern
and an antimongoloid fissure with a V pattern. He
found no similar correlation in exodeviations. When
examining a strabismus patient who has either a mon-
goloid or an antimongoloid lid fissure, vertical
incomitance should be looked for.
Patients with myelomeningocele demonstrate a
consistent abnormality in the configuration of the
palpebral fissure (Figure 17). What appears to be a
mongoloid slant in reality may be a straightening of
the lower lid margin, which gives the illusion of a
mongoloid slant. These patients frequently demon-
strate an A pattern usually associated with overaction
of the superior oblique muscle, and sometimes with
dissociated vertical deviation. The diagnosis of
myelomeningocele can be suspected in most cases
simply by looking at the lid configuration.

Figure 16
V esotropia in a patient with antimongoloid palpebral
fissures.

21
Chapter 2

Figure 17
A patient with myelomeningocele and a straight lower lid
margin simulating a mongoloid slant. This is a common
but unexplained finding in such patients.

Epicanthal folds
Epicanthal folds are present to some degree in
most infants and children during the first few years of
life (Figure 18 A, B). These skin folds can create an
illusion of esotropia. Parents think one eye turns in
B
because no white can be seen medially, especially in
the adducted eye in lateral versions. Two techniques
can be used to relieve parental concern regarding
pseudoesotropia from epicanthus. First, the examin-
er demonstrates the centered pupillary reflexes with a
muscle light. Second, the examiner carefully pulls the
skin forward over the bridge of the nose to demon-
strate the straightening effect of exposing the medi-
al conjunctiva or white of the eye (Figure 19). It is Figure 18
still a good rule for the ophthalmologist presented A Epicanthal folds obscure the nasal conjunctiva in both
patients, giving the appearance of esotropia. However,
with an obvious case of pseudostrabismus to carry out
the light reflex is centered in the pupil in each case.
a complete eye examination, including cycloplegic This reflex indicates the presence of parallel pupillary
refraction and retinal examination. A medial skin fold axes and, therefore, straight eyes or absence of
sweeping upward from below is called epicanthus manifest strabismus. Cover testing must be performed
eventually to confirm the presence of parallel visual axes
inversus (Figure 20).
because a large angle kappa* could hide a small
Telecanthus, which is an increased interorbital manifest esodeviation.
distance, may be confused with epicanthus (Figure B Epicanthal folds are present, but the displaced pupillary
21). Normally, the intercanthal distance is about one- reflex in the right eye confirms the presence of a right
esotropia.
half the pupillary distance. Intercanthal separation in
excess of this suggests true telecanthus, but this diag- *Angle kappa is the angle formed by the pupillary axis and the visual
nosis must be confirmed by radiologic evaluation axis. A positive angle kappa is present when the visual axis is nasal
to the pupillary axis. This simulates exotropia and is common. A neg-
demonstrating a bony abnormality. Other midline ative angle kappa is present when the visual axis is temporal to the
facial abnormalities, especially clefting of a facial pupillary axis. This simulates esotropia and is much less common
than positive angle kappa.
structure in the presence of telecanthus, should raise
the suspicion of defects at the base of the skull includ-
ing encephalocele. These patients also may have optic
nerve anomalies ranging from hypoplasia to morning
glory disk or even may be missing a medial rectus
muscle.

22

A A
B B
Figure 19
A Centered pupillary light reflex
B The straightening effect of exposing more white nasal-
ly. (This is shown in an older patient because it is diffi-
cult to photograph the younger child where the test is
more effective.)
Figure 20
A skin fold originating below and sweeping upward is called
epicanthus inversus. This deformity is frequently
associated with blepharophimosis and ptosis. These three
deformities, which may be combined with telecanthus,
cause significant disfigurement and present a formidable
therapeutic challenge.
Surgical anatomy
Figure 21
A This patient demonstrates telecanthus with an
interorbital dimension clearly more than one-half the
interpupillary distance and also an exotropia.
B This patient with telecanthus also has prominent
epicanthal folds.
Conjunctiva
The bulbar conjunctiva, fused to the underlying
anterior Tenon's capsule, loosely covers the anterior
part of the globe from the fornices above and below
and from the canthi medially and laterally. The bul-
bar conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's capsule have
multiple, fine imbedded arterioles and veins. These
are branches of the anterior ciliary circulation and of
the marginal arcades of the vessels of the lids. Their
number and configuration vary from person to per-
son. This circulation furnishes a small but probably
significant blood supply to the anterior segment. The
fused conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's capsule attach
firmly to the sclera at the limbus (Figure 22). The
combined conjuctiva and underlying anterior Tenon's
capsule is thick and has substance in infancy and
childhood but becomes much thinner and more fri-
able in adulthood and old age.
The plica semilunaris is a fold in the conjunctiva
located far medially in the palpebral fissure and is
mostly below the midline. The caruncle, located just
medial to the plica, is about 3 mm in diameter, cov-
ered with squamous epithelium, and often contains
small hairs (Figure 23). The relationship of the plica
and caruncle to each other and to the palpebral fissure
is an important cosmetic factor in strabismus surgery.
When repairing the conjunctiva, care should be taken
not to alter the position of these structures. It is par-
23
Chapter 2
A ity, the conjunctiva can be recessed with or without
Figure 22
The topographic landmarks of the conjunctiva important to
the strabismus surgeon are the following:
A The fusion of the conjunctiva and anterior Tenons
capsule with the sclera at the limbus
A B
C
Figure 23
A The limbus
B The plica semilunaris
C The caruncle
ticularly important that the plica not be displaced lat-
erally, making it more obvious as a reddened,
unsightly mass seen in the palpebral opening.
A fat pad is present in the inferior fornix extend-
ing to within 12 to 14 mm of the limbus (Figure 24).
This fat pad is beneath conjunctiva and its posterior
condensations behind the orbital septum, and is out-
side both layers of Tenon's capsule in the extraconal
space. A transconjunctival incision made medially
and laterally in the inferior cul-de-sac should be pos-
terior to the attachment of posterior Tenons capsule
or at least 8 mm from the limbus in order to expose
bare sclera. However, it should also be anterior to the
inferior fat pad, no more than approximately 12 mm
from the limbus. There is no comparable fat pad
superiorly.
24
During extraocular muscle surgery, all incisions
should be limited to the bulbar conjunctiva; they
should not extend into the fornix or palpebral con-
junctiva. An incision carried too deeply into the
fornix causes unnecessary bleeding and serves no
purpose. Transconjunctival incision in the palpebral
opening over the insertion of the medial or lateral rec-
tus should be avoided, if possible, because it can lead
to unsightly scarring, which in extreme cases can
even restrict motility.
When prior surgery has left the conjunctiva red-
dened and unsightly or scarred so that it limits motil-
removal of conjunctival tissue. In these cases, the
sclera is left uncovered. Sclera is rapidly re-covered
with epithelium when it is left exposed, remaining
comfortable in the process. It is not necessary to use
a mucous membrane graft to cover exposed sclera.
As long as one of the opposing surfaces behind the
lids is covered with epithelium, a symblepharon will
not develop.
Tenons capsule
Tenon's capsule is a structure with definite
body and substance in childhood which gradually
atrophies in old age but not to the same degree as con-
junctiva. Tenon's capsule has an anterior and posteri-
or part. Anterior Tenon's capsule is the vestigial cap-
sulopalpebral head of the rectus muscles. This covers
the anterior half to two-thirds of the rectus muscles in
their sheaths as well as the intermuscular membrane.
Anterior Tenon's capsule is fused with the undersur-
face of conjunctiva and attaches to sclera at the lim-
bus. The fused conjunctiva-anterior Tenon's capsule
is movable over underlying posterior Tenon's capsule
and episclera, the latter being the anterior extension
of posterior Tenon's capsule. Episclera starts at the
level of the insertion of the rectus muscles in a line
around the globe, which is called the spiral of Tillaux.
Episclera joins conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's cap-
sule, fusing at the limbus.
Posterior Tenon's capsule is made up of the
fibrous sheath of the rectus muscles together with the
intermuscular membrane. According to Lester Jones,
the tissues that make up posterior Tenon's capsule
form at a later evolutionary stage than those forming
anterior Tenon's capsule. Fibrous attachments
between the inner surface of anterior Tenon's capsule
and the outer muscle sheath (part of posterior Tenon's
capsule) fuse at a point 15 to 20 mm behind the inser-
tion of the medial and lateral rectus muscles to form
a barrier to extraconal fat. A condensation of fibrous
tissue and smooth muscle between the outer surface
of anterior Tenon's capsule and the orbital wall medi-
ally and laterally is the location of the aforementioned
pulleys of the horizontal rectus muscles. If the hori-
zontal rectus muscle is separated completely from

A B
C D
Fat Pad
Figure 24
A The shallow lower fornix with a visible fat pad beneath
conjunctiva
B The deep upper fornix with no visible fat under con-
junctiva
C The inferior fat pad shown frontally
anterior Tenon's capsule, exposing extraconal fat,
there will be no or reduced pulley effect on the eye
muscle. This will result in up and down slip of the
muscle relative to the globe. It is not practical or even
logical in the usual strabismus surgery to free pulleys
outside anterior Tenon's capsule, but this could be
done for special need. Eye muscle surgery is routine-
ly performed entirely inside anterior Tenon's capsule
with no fat exposure (Figure 25 A-C).
Posterior Tenon's capsule, composed of the
muscle's capsule and the intermuscular membrane,
unites the rectus muscles in a ring around the globe.
The extent to which the intermuscular membrane is
cut during surgery influences how far the rectus mus-
cles, particularly the medial and to some extent the
lateral, will retract during surgery. Dissection of pos-
terior Tenon's capsule far posteriorly leads to expo-
sure of intraconal fat, so called because it resides
inside the muscle cone. Excessive dissection of ante-
rior Tenon's capsule exposes extraconal fat and risks
Surgical anatomy
D Saggital section of the orbit shows the relationships of the
vertical rectus muscles, fat compartments, oblique
muscles, orbital septa, and lids. It should be noted that on
the superior aspect of the globe, the extraconal fat lies
above the levator palpebrae and behind the orbital
septum. Surgery on the superior oblique muscle is not
associated with extraconal fat because of the barrier of the
levator palpebrae muscle. Pulling the lower lid down
allows the inferior fat pad to prolapse.
disruption of the pulleys of the medial and lateral rec-
tus muscles.
While extraocular muscle surgery is performed
beneath anterior Tenon's capsule, it is done within the
plane of posterior Tenon's capsule. The intermuscu-
lar membrane part of posterior Tenon's capsule must
be fenestrated in order to place a muscle hook behind
the insertion of a rectus muscle (Figure 26 A-D).
How much more dissection is done in the intermus-
cular membrane beyond the minimum required to
gain access to the muscle is the decision of the sur-
geon. It is probably wise to do as little cutting of pos-
terior Tenon's capsule as is compatible with the con-
duct of the surgical procedure intended. Retinal
detachment surgery, in contrast to extraocular muscle
surgery, is carried out beneath posterior Tenon's cap-
sule. This enables a view of the scleral surface far
posteriorly to a point near the posterior ciliary vessels
and the optic nerve.
25
Chapter 2

10
A

6, 4

Figure 25 The Conjunctiva/Tenons Capsule Relationships

A Axial view of the orbit
1 Wall of the orbit
2 Conjunctiva
3 Anterior Tenons capsule
4 Posterior Tenons capsule
5 The muscle
6 Intermuscular membrane (posterior
Tenons capsule)
7 Intraconal orbital fat
8 Extraconal orbital fat
9 Horizontal pulley
10 Episclera
B C Coronal section of B at X
1 The limbal fusion of the conjunctiva 1 Conjunctiva
and anterior Tenons capsule 2 Anterior Tenons capsule
2 Potential space between anterior 3 Muscle sheath
Tenons capsule and episclera 4 Extraocular muscle
3 The muscle in its sheath (posterior 5 Intermuscular membrane
Tenons capsule) inserting into the 6 Sclera substance
sclera 7 Sclera surface
4 Postinsertional muscle footplates
5 Episclera
6 Conjunctiva
7 Anterior Tenons capsule

26

B C
Figure 26
A When the layer of fused conjunctiva-anterior Tenon's
capsule is retracted, the muscle insertion in its sheath is
exposed. Fibrous attachments are seen between the
undersurface of anterior Tenons capsule and the outer
surface of the muscle. The fusion of the intermuscular
membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule), as well as of the
muscle to the sclera, is apparent. This fusion of the
intermuscular membrane to the sclera must be incised
before the bare sclera and subposterior Tenon's capsule
space can be encountered. Only after entering
subposterior Tenon's capsule space can the insertion of
the rectus muscle be engaged cleanly on a muscle hook.
This is the free space used by the retina surgeon. The
tip of the scissors in the photo points to this free space.
Surgical anatomy
B Posterior Tenons capsule attaches to sclera at the
muscles insertion and in the intermuscular space
forming the spiral of Tillaux.
C The muscle hook is placed in a hole created in
intermuscular membrane adjacent to the muscle
insertion and glides along bare sclera behind the rectus
muscle insertion and is exposed at the opposite muscle
border with a snip incision.
continued.
27
Chapter 2

Figure 26, contd

D The muscle hook is placed in a hole created in intermuscular membrane
adjacent to the muscle insertion and glides along bare sclera behind the
rectus muscle insertion and is exposed at the opposite muscle border with a
snip incision.With a limbal incision, the multiple layers and surfaces
associated with the rectus muscles can be readily seen. Conjunctiva and
anterior Tenons capsule shown here separated are actually fused and
separated only with difficulty.

Surgical anatomy of the rectus

muscles
Each rectus muscle inserts at a different distance
from the limbus. The insertions of these muscles are
the prime surgical landmarks in extraocular muscle
surgery. The medial rectus is said to insert in the nor-
mal eye 5.5 mm from the limbus. This figure pre-
sumably was arrived at from study of otherwise nor-
mal eyes. Since no specific mention is made of
whether the measurements were taken from speci-
mens with strabismus, it is assumed they were not.
The average distance between the limbus and the
medial rectus insertion of 112 medial rectus muscles
in 66 esotropic patients was 4.4 mm with a range of
3.0 to 6.0 mm. Eight patients had unequal medial rec-
tus insertion to limbus measurements. There was no
correlation found between the angle of esodeviation
and the distance of the medial rectus insertion from
the limbus. The variability of this insertion along
with its lack of correlation with the angle of esotropia
begs the question, Is the insertion the best landmark
for measurement of a medial rectus recession?
Since the answer is obviously no, it is preferable to
use the limbus, a more consistent anatomical point, as
the reference for recession of the medial rectus mus-
cle. When measuring from the limbus, the amount of
muscle retroplacement from the muscle's actual inser-
tion can be noted by those surgeons accustomed to the
traditional medial rectus recession numbers used
as guidelines for recession. For example, if a 5.5 mm
recession of the medial rectus is done in a patient
whose medial rectus inserts 4.5 mm from the limbus
(not noticed by the surgeon) and a 5.5 mm recession
is done, the new insertion site is located 9.0 mm from
the limbus in a normal sized eye. This could result in
an undercorrection, and in all likelihood, this
occurred not infrequently when 5.5 mm was consid-
ered the maximum medial rectus recession. On the
other hand, if in this same patient the medial rectus
were recessed 10.0 mm from the limbus, the resultant
recession measured from the insertion would actually
be 6.5 mm, a number perhaps considered too large for
the deviation but one which would be required
because of the medial rectus insertion site being clos-
er to the limbus.
Use of the limbus as the point of reference for
medial rectus recession allows the surgeon to perform
larger recessions safely by not exceeding the land-
mark of the equator. The equatorial landmark has
been shown to be reliable because in patients with

28
 Surgical anatomy

refractive errors between + or - 4.00 diopters, the

axial length of the eye is predictable for the age of the
patient. This has been confirmed by simple to per-
form axial length measurement with the A-scan
device. At the same time, the corneal dimension is
also reliable. If it appears to be other than the normal
dimension, this is obvious and measurement for con-
firmation is simple. Whether or not discovery of the
pulleys will alter this thinking is not clear now. It is
known, however, that successful realignment of con-
genital esotropia occurs more frequently when meas-
urement is carried out from the limbus compared to
the prior upper limit of recession of 5.5 mm. With
larger medial rectus recession measured from the
insertion now being done, first surgery alignment in
congenital esotropia is improved, but the incidence of
overcorrection is not known.
The inferior rectus inserts 6.5 mm from the lim-
bus; the lateral rectus inserts 6.9 mm from the limbus
(range: 4.5 to 8.0 mm);* and the superior rectus Figure 27
The spiral of Tillaux and the relationship of the rectus
inserts 7.7 mm from the limbus. Beginning with the muscle insertions.
medial rectus and moving inferiorly and temporally,
each rectus muscle inserts farther from the limbus.
The line connecting these insertions is called the spi-
ral of Tillaux (Figure 27). The circumference of the
ring formed by closing the spiral is approximately 80
mm. The width of the insertion of each of the rectus
muscles is approximately 10 mm. The distance
between the adjacent insertion borders is approxi-
mately 10 mm (Figure 28).

The issue can be summed up as follows: the inser-

tion of the medial rectus muscle in esotropia tends
to be closer to the limbus than the 5.5 mm stated for
the normal. Therefore, recession measured from
the limbus, a more reliable landmark, allows larger
recessions to be done safely thus reducing the like-
lihood of undercorrection.

The insertion of the rectus muscles can be seen Figure 28

relatively easily through the intact conjunctiva. This
means that the muscles location can be confirmed
when the eye is rotated and the conjunctiva is brought
tightly over the insertion of any of the rectus muscles.
Close observation reveals the line of insertion of the
muscle, with the muscle appearing as a slightly dark-
er and faintly raised structure beneath conjunctiva
(Figure 29). By confirming the rectus muscles inser-
tion in this manner, the surgeon can locate each of the
rectus muscles accurately in roughly the 3, 6, 9, and
12 o'clock positions of the globe. This maneuver
leads to proper traction suture or traction forceps
placement and allows strategic placement of the inci-
sion through conjunctiva leading to accurate localiza-
Width of the rectus muscle insertions
tion of the muscle to be operated upon. This maneu-
ver to establish the location of the rectus muscles
should be done routinely at the outset of each eye
muscle surgical procedure.
The rectus muscles are all approximately 40 mm
long and each receives innervation from the under-
surface (intraconal space) at the junction of the mid-
dle and posterior thirds of the muscle or 26 mm from
the insertion. The six pairs of extraocular muscles are
characterized in Table 1.

* Although the lateral rectus insertion site is variable, it is not common to measure from the limbus for recession of this muscle.

29
Chapter 2

Head Head

A B

Head Head

C D

Head

Figure 29
A The superior rectus muscle seen through the intact
conjunctiva and anterior Tenons capsule.
B The insertion of the inferior rectus muscle seen through
the intact conjunctiva. Note fat pad.
C The insertion of the lateral rectus muscle seen through
the intact conjunctiva.
D The insertion of the medial rectus muscle seen through
the intact conjunctiva.
E The insertion of the lateral and inferior rectus muscles
seen through the intact conjunctiva with the inferior
temporal orbital fat pad seen just inside the lower lid
margin. The site of the incision for inferior oblique
exposure is shown. This view is shown from above.

30
 Surgical anatomy

Muscle Length(mm) Nerve Point of Innervation Tendon* (mm) Muscle action

Medial 40 III Inferior division 26 mm from insertion L: 3.7 Adduction

rectus (MR) W: 10.3

Inferior 40 III Inferior division 26 mm from insertion L: 5.5 Depression

rectus (IR) W: 9.8 Excycloduction
Adduction

Lateral 40 VI 26 mm from insertion L: 8.8 Abduction

rectus (LR) W: 9.2

Superior 40 III Superior division 26 mm from insertion L: 5.8 Elevation

rectus (SR) W: 10.8 Incycloduction
Adduction

Inferior 36 III Inferior division 12 mm posterior to insertion L: <1 Elevation

oblique (IO) of inferior rectus at its later- W: 9.4 Excycloduction
al border Abduction

Superior 60 IV 26 mm from trochlea L: 30 Depression

oblique (SO) W: 10.7 Incycloduction
Abduction

* L - length; W - width at insertion

Table 1 Extraocular Muscles

Characteristics of the Motor physiology

extraocular muscles Ficks axes - Listings lane
The extraocular muscles are similar to skeletal The theoretical center of rotation of the eye is at
muscles though there are differences undoubtedly the intersection of the three principal axes of Fick
related to the very specialized function of the extraoc- (Figure 30). The X-axis crosses the eye horizontally;
ular muscles. Both skeletal and extraocular muscles the Y-axis passes through the center of the pupil
have several types of twitch fibers, but the extraocu- (through the y sutures of the lens); and the Z-axis
lar muscles are unique, having tonically contracting crosses the eye vertically. Vertical movements take
fibers not found in skeletal muscle. The twitch fibers place around the X-axis, torsion takes place around
of extraocular muscles are called Fibrillenstruktur, the Y-axis, and medial and lateral rotation takes place
and the unique slow tonic fibers are called around the Z- axis. This is a simplistic but useful way
Felderstruktur. There are two muscle fiber layers in to characterize movements of the eye. However, the
the medial and lateral recti. The shorter orbital layer eye actually moves in Listings plane, responding to
inserts in the muscle pulley, and the longer global the summation of the actions of all of the extraocular
fibers insert into sclera at the muscles insertion. The muscles. All of the movements of the globe can be
muscle fibers are long, traversing the entire length of described as taking place in Listings plane. The new
the muscle, or in some cases, nearly so. The blood
supply of the extraocular muscles is rich, coming
from the muscular branches of the ophthalmic artery.
The extraocular muscles have the lowest innervation
ratio of any of the muscles of the body; that is, they
have the most nerve fibers per muscle fiber. This is
appropriate to meet the stringent requirements of
accuracy of fixation and smoothness of following
required to support a visual apparatus capable of both
rapid, accurate movement and sustained fixation.
There is evidence, not always corroborated but accu-
mulating nonetheless, showing that the extraocular
muscles participate in proprioception. Muscle spin-
dles and other muscle sensors communicate by means
of an inflow mechanism which is functional but
apparently less powerful than the outflow mechanism
Figure 30
generated from stimuli arising in the retina.

31
Chapter 2
description of the pulleys provides a useful concept
for appreciating Listings plane which appears to
coincide with the functional insertion of the rectus
muscles at the pulleys (Figure 31).
A B
C
Figure 31
A Saggital representation demonstrates how Listings
plane coincides logically with the pulleys as the
functional origin of the rectus muscles.
B Frontal view of Listings plane
C Looking up to the left, the eyes move in Listings plane.
Pulleys
The extraocular muscles initiate ocular move-
ment and then sustain a new position of the globe
through a complex transfer of energy. The insertion
of each extraocular muscle on the globe acts on what
we tend to think of as a point-to-point basis. The
actual muscle-globe relationship, however, is mediat-
ed through a complex arrangement of fascial attach-
ments, including anterior and posterior Tenon's cap-
sule, conjunctiva, and numerous attachments between
these structures. Initiation of the globe's movement
can only be carried out by the action of the muscles.
This movement can be slowed or stopped by the pas-
sive fascial structures, including fat that surround the
globe and extraocular muscles. Movement of the
globe stopped by passive fascial structures is useful
physiologically, or harmful in pathologic states.
Normal ocular movements are stopped by mechanical
factors in the extremes of abduction, adduction, ele-
vation, and depression. These mechanical factors are
the check ligaments associated with the pulleys or
pulley-like structures that are formed by fascial con-
densations between anterior Tenon's capsule and the
periorbita. In simple terms, the muscles act like a
rope passing through a pulley on their way to attach-
ing to the globe. The pull of the muscle on the globe
occurs at the point where the muscle attaches to the
32
globe, the insertion. The pulling effect on the globe
comes from the location of the pulley regardless of
where the pull is initiated before it reaches the pulley.
This new post pulley concept replaces the earlier
held notion that the functional insertion of the
extraocular muscle was at the point of tangency with
the globe, which is anterior to the equator medially
and just behind the equator laterally. The new pulley
concept seems to be more compatible with the results
of strabismus management particularly dealing with
A and V patterns in comparison with those previ-
ously held (Figure 32).
Muscle forces
The extraocular muscles have a resting tension of
12 to 15 g. This tension increases to 40 to 50 g in the
agonist during a saccade. Tension in the antagonist
also increases somewhat during a saccade because of
the length tension effect and despite decreased inner-
vation. Maximum isometric contraction of an
extraocular muscle is approximately 125 g. The ten-
sion of the extraocular muscles when the eyes are
shifted away from the primary position and then sta-
bilized is greater than the tension in the primary posi-
tion. When the eye is stabilized in any position; that
is, not moving, tension is equal in opposing muscles.
When the eyes are in a position away from the pri-
mary, static tension must be increased compared to
the primary or neutral position. This is to overcome
the passive forces of the orbital fascia which must be
deflected to maintain position of the eye away from
the primary position. When the eye muscles are in
the resting state under general anesthesia, the eyes are
more or less centered in the palpebral fissure or they
may be slightly exotropic. If the eyes are passively
moved from this position, they will spring back. This
action is the basis for the spring back balance test of
Jampolsky. This is a technique for evaluating the bal-
ance of purely passive forces in ocular alignment and,
therefore, a guide to surgery in cases with mechanical
restrictions.
During pursuit movements, both eyes move at
the same, usually moderate, speed, and in the same
direction: right, left, up, down. While carrying out
vergence movements, eye movement is slower and in
opposite directions. During convergence (e.g. the
right eye moves to the left and the left eye to the
right), both eyes are looking toward the nose, so to
speak. The opposite takes place during divergence,
although pure divergence amplitude is limited and
occurs in the normal only when stimulated. When the
eyes suddenly change fixation from one object to
another, a rapid movement or saccade takes place.
The two eyes normally move at the same speed and in
the same direction at speeds up to 250 to 400
degrees/sec. This saccadic speed is reduced in a
paretic muscle more or less proportional to the degree
 Surgical anatomy

Figure 32
A The medial rectus inserts between 3 and 6 mm from the C In the pathologic state, restriction in any of the inner
limbus. fascial structures around the globe may limit passive
B Pulley tissues also act as check ligaments at extremes ductions. In the presence of a normal agonist, these
of gaze. abnormalities usually result in increased intraocular
pressure and changes in the palpebral fissure.

33
Chapter 2
of muscle weakness. Reduction of speed of a saccade
is a fairly accurate estimate of the extent of weakness
of a muscle. The slower a saccade, compared to the
normal fellow eye, the weaker the muscle in question.
The human extraocular muscle is richly innervated.
The ratio of nerve fibers to muscle fibers in the
extraocular muscle is 1:5 compared to 1:120 in skele-
tal muscle in the leg.
Apex of the orbit
The eyes move in the manner of a servomech-
anism, that is, a given event predictably produces an
appropriate response. For example, shift of the object
of regard to the temporal retina of the right eye and
nasal retina of the left eye produces just enough lev-
oversion to place the object of regard on the foveas.
Bitemporal retinal disparity will cause convergence,
for example.
The extraocular muscles have their anatomic ori-
gin around the ligament of Zinn at the apex of the
orbit (Figure 33). This site is also the point of entry
of the major nerves and blood vessels supplying the
orbit and globe. Knowledge of these structures and
their relationships is vital to understanding many
pathologic conditions in and around the orbit.
Figure 33
The configuration of structures passing through the optic foramen, superior and inferior orbital fissure, and annular ligament
of Zinn of the left eye.
34
Underaction and overaction
When eye movements, versions or ductions are
evaluated clinically, reference is made to overaction
or underaction of a muscle. Underaction of the
extraocular muscles can be readily explained due to
reduced rotation of the globe. This is from decreased
innervation, loss of muscle substance, or because of
an altered position of the muscle on the globe.
Underaction can also result from tightness or tether-
ing of the passive fascial structures and have no rela-
tion to how effectively the muscle can pull. When a
normal muscle contracts in the presence of a restric-
tion, a rise in intraocular pressure will result. For
example, in cases of thyroid myopathy involving the
inferior recti, patients have been treated for glauco-
ma because of the elevated intraocular pressure which
occurred during attempts to look up. Underaction
associated with paresis or paralysis of the agonist can
be shown by observing a saccade. In this case, the
saccadic velocity will be reduced and no increase in
intraocular pressure will be noted when movement is
attempted in the restricted field. Underaction of the
superior oblique can result from a congenitally elon-
gated tendon with a normal saccade. This will be dis-
cussed in detail later.

Overaction of an extraocular muscle is more
accurately described in most cases not as over exu-
berance of the muscle but as underaction of the pas-
sive checking tissue. Observation of clinical strabis-
mus suggests that only cases of excess innervation
such as occurs in the yoke muscle of a paretic muscle
can legitimately be called overaction. In spite of the
obvious misnomer, the term overaction is firmly
implanted in the literature and the language of the
strabismologist.
Surgical anatomy of the
inferior oblique
The inferior oblique muscle is 36 mm long. It
originates a few millimeters behind the medial end of
the inferior orbital rim just lateral to the lacrimal
fossa and proceeds posteriorly and temporally at an
angle of 51 degrees with the frontal plane passing
beneath the inferior rectus (between the inferior rec-
tus and the floor of the orbit) (Figure 34). It inserts
beneath the inferior border of the lateral rectus mus-
cle, approximately 12 mm from the insertion of the
lateral rectus. The posterior extent of the inferior
oblique insertion overlies a point 2 mm below and 2
mm lateral to the macula. The middle of the distal
half of the muscle covers the inferior temporal vortex
vein. The blood vessels in the inferior oblique do not
contribute to the blood supply of the anterior segment
of the globe. This muscle receives its innervation on
its upper surface at the point where it passes beneath
the lateral border of the inferior rectus, approximate-
ly 12 mm posterior to the lateral corner of the inser-
tion of the inferior rectus. The inferior oblique mus-
cle is unique in its anatomic relationships. This mus-
cle behaves as though it has two potential insertions
and two potential points of origin. Because the infe-
rior oblique is innervated near its middle, it may be
weakened either proximal or distal to its point of
innervation.
A B
Figure 34
The inferior oblique (A) from in front and (B) from behind.
Surgical anatomy
The inferior oblique muscle was subjected to sur-
gery as early as 1841, but for myopia! By 1885, infe-
rior oblique weakening for treatment of superior
oblique palsy was done. The muscle was exposed
through a skin incision and the muscle was cut medi-
al to Lockwood's ligament. This technique persisted
into the middle of the twentieth century. After that,
more attention was directed to weakening the muscle
distal to Lockwood's ligament nearer the insertion.
Currently the most effective techniques for inferior
oblique weakening include myotomy, myectomy, and
recession, placing the new insertion at various posi-
tions in the inferior temporal quadrant according to
the surgeon's preference. Surgical techniques for
inferior oblique weakening also vary in the extent to
which the inferior oblique is freed from its union with
Lockwood's ligament and in the management of the
neuro-vascular bundle.
In order to avoid surgery on the inferior oblique
in some cases of overaction, Bielschowsky was said
to have lowered the medial rectus. This portended
treatment of A and V pattern with vertical shift of
the rectus muscles and possibly the description of the
pulleys of the rectus muscles whose anomalous loca-
tion leads to vertical incomitance.
Recently, inferior oblique anterior transposition
has been used for the treatment of inferior oblique
overaction especially when it is associated with dis-
sociated vertical deviation (DVD). The mechanism
of action for this treatment of DVD has been
explained by Stager who demonstrated that the robust
neurovascular bundle of the inferior oblique is effec-
tive in anchoring the transposed inferior oblique
insertion. This is the same neurovascular bundle that
was cut by Parks during the denervation and extirpa-
tion procedure for maximum weakening of the inferi-
or oblique.
Myectomy or large recession of the inferior
oblique distal to the muscles attachment at
35
Chapter 2
Lockwood's ligament makes this attachment equiva-
lent to the new functional insertion (Figure 35).
Although not done now, earlier procedures for weak-
ening the inferior oblique, which were carried out
nasal to the ligament of Lockwood, meant that the
inferior oblique union with Lockwoods ligament
became the functional origin. A procedure described
by Stager and Weakley transected the inferior rectus
on both sides of Lockwood's ligament relying on a
small segment of the middle of the muscle stabilized
by Lockwood's and the neurovascular bundle. In
cases of extirpation and denervation of the inferior
oblique, a large myectomy of the distal inferior
oblique is combined with transection of the neurovas-
cular bundle.
The inferior oblique is unique among the
extraocular muscles in that, in many cases, weaken-
ing of this muscle, even by extensive surgery, seems
to have relatively little effect on movement of the
globe or alignment of the eyes. Even after large
recession or myectomy, apparent overaction of the
inferior oblique can persist. This is probably due to
horizontal rectus action from upward pulley displace-
ment of the medial rectus. Also, in the relatively
uncommon inferior oblique paresis, strabismus is
much less than would occur after paresis of any of the
other muscles. Effective weakening of this muscle
could be made more difficult because of the unique
anatomy. Likewise neurologically, the muscles
innervation by the inferior branch of cranial nerve III
makes isolated paralysis rare. In contrast, the inferi-
or oblique seems to overact commonly. But is
overaction the right term? Some think it is not, sug-
gesting that the preferred term would simply describe
appearance not etiology. The term "elevation in
adduction," which replaces the Latin "strabismus sur-
soadductorius," seems to be a valid description of
what has been called overaction of the inferior
Figure 35
The inferior oblique behaves as if it had two potential origins and two potential insertions because of its union with
Lockwood's ligament as it passes beneath the inferior rectus. In addition, at the mid-section of the inferior oblique is a stout
neurovascular bundle, described in detail by Stager and associates, which acts both as a restraining anchor and a source
of innervation.
36
oblique. The descriptive term elevation in adduc-
tion describes a condition where the inferior oblique
is responsible for elevation, not necessarily from its
overacting but rather from the lack of checking from
a weak (or absent) superior oblique. In defense of the
term overaction of the inferior oblique, this term
also describes the extorsion and abduction caused by
the inferior oblique in cases of anomalous orbital
anatomy and/or upshift of the medial rectus pulleys
and in cases of deficient adduction.
Lockwoods ligament
Lockwoods ligament may be compared to a
hammock supporting the globe (Figure 36). It forms
a dense condensation of tissue that engulfs the inferi-
or rectus and inferior oblique muscles beneath the
globe. The attachment of Lockwoods ligament to the
inferior oblique affects globe movement from the
inferior oblique muscle when it contracts, even when
the inferior oblique is transected on both sides of
Lockwoods!
Attachments between Lockwoods ligament
and neighboring muscle and fascial structures are
connected to the lower lid. This makes lower lid pto-
sis a potential complication of inferior rectus reces-
sion (Figure 37). To avoid this, the inferior rectus
should be freed extensively during surgery. Guyton,
et. al., have recommended that Lockwoods ligament
be advanced when recession of the inferior rectus
muscle is carried out. When resection of the inferior
rectus is performed, persistent attachment of this
muscle to Lockwoods ligament can cause just the
opposite, a bothersome and cosmetically unaccept-
able elevation of the lower lid resulting in narrowing
of the palpebral fissure. Freeing the inferior rectus
muscle from Lockwoods ligament also helps avoid
this complication.
 Surgical anatomy

A B

Figure 36
A The ligament of Lockwood could be compared to a C The inferior fat pad is prominent and should not be
hammock supporting the globe. disturbed during surgery of the inferior rectus.
B The inferior oblique passes beneath the inferior rectus,
through Lockwoods ligament and orbital fat
approximately 12 - 14 mm from the limbus.

Figure 37
A saggital section of the complex anatomy of the orbit shows the intimate relationship of the inferior rectus, inferior oblique,
and Lockwoods ligament. This complex, in turn, is connected to the lower lid tarsus and inferior orbital septum. The
inferior extraconal fat protrudes farther forward compared to the extraconal fat of the superior globe. Recession of the
inferior rectus causes recession of the lower lid and widening of the fissure. Advancement or resection of the inferior rectus
causes narrowing of the palpebral fissure. Placement of the conjunctival incision too far from the limbus inferiorly can result
in disturbance of the extraconal fat compartment.

37
Chapter 2

Superior oblique
The superior oblique muscle has a muscular por-
tion and a tendinous portion, both of which are
approximately 30 mm long. The muscle portion orig-
inates superiorly and nasal to the ligament of Zinn at
the apex of the orbit and becomes tendinous 10 mm
before reaching the trochlea. The trochlea, a carti-
laginous saddle-shaped structure, is located at the
junction of the medial and superior orbital rim just
posterior to the orbital rim. The trochlea acts as a pul-
ley redirecting the course of the superior oblique ten-
don. approximately 54 degrees from the frontal plane.
The tendon passes beneath the superior rectus, insert-
ing under the lateral border of the superior rectus usu-
ally 5-7 mm posterior to the temporal superior rectus
insertion or approximately 13 mm from the limbus
(Figure 38). That portion of the superior oblique ten-
don passing beneath the superior rectus muscle is
attached to the undersurface of this muscle through
the common sheath of the superior rectus muscle. Figure 38
The superior oblique tendon is redirected to 54 from the
Therefore, to obtain an effective large recession of the frontal plane and passes posteriorly and temporally beneath
superior rectus muscle, it is logical to free it from the the superior rectus.
superior oblique tendon. A hang loose superior rectus
recession which is not secured at the intended rein-
sertion site may not accomplish the intended retro-
placement of the superior rectus muscle unless the
superior oblique - superior rectus attachment is freed.
The diameter of the superior oblique tendon
between the trochlea and the medial border of the
superior rectus is about 3 mm. The tendon is white,
surrounded by dense fascia, and lacking a discreet
tendon sheath. Because of this fascia, the superior
oblique tendon nasal to the superior rectus can be
somewhat difficult to identify when approached out-
side of anterior Tenons capsule. However, when
approached from the undersurface of anterior Tenons
capsule, the superior oblique tendon is an easily dis-
tinguishable structure (Figure 39). The nerve to the
superior oblique enters the muscular portion 26 mm Figure 39
From Parks MM, Helveston EM. Direct visualization of the
posterior to the trochlea. Blood vessels in the superi-
superior oblique tendon. Archives of Ophthalmology, 1970,
or oblique do not contribute to the blood supply of the 84:491-494. Used with permission.
anterior segment of the globe .
The insertion of the superior oblique is broad,
measuring on average 10.7 mm. The fibers at this
point are very thin and fuse with sclera in a manner
that makes the superior oblique insertion difficult to
distinguish from sclera. Only after carefully looking
in the area where the superior oblique should insert
can these fibers be seen coursing temporally and
slightly posterior. At times the surgeon must employ
a fine hook to carefully tease the insertion into view.
The insertion of the superior oblique has been shown
to be the most variable of any of the extraocular mus-
cles. While the tendon usually inserts at the lateral
border of the superior rectus muscle about 5 to 7 mm Figure 40
behind the superior rectus insertion, the superior The 'normal insertion of the superior oblique varies. The
insertion displaced medial to the superior rectus results in
oblique tendon can be found more anterior. In other
underaction.

38

cases, the superior oblique can be found inserting at
the medial border of the superior rectus. This results
in superior oblique underaction with excyclotropia
because this nasal displacement reduces the torsional
effect of the superior oblique. A wide range of other
anomalies is seen with the superior oblique tendon
from laxity causing congenital superior oblique
palsy to absence of the reflected tendon. This spec-
trum of anomalies suggests a new way of classifying
congenital superior oblique palsy (see page 157).
The superior oblique tendon joins with the
undersurface of the superior rectus muscle by a com-
mon muscle-tendon capsular attachment. This attach-
ment can be seen clearly when the superior rectus
muscle has been detached from the globe and lifted
upward (Figure 41). The firmness of this attachment
varies, but these two structures do not appear to be
entirely free of any connection to each other in the
normal state. As stated above, if recession of the
superior rectus is attempted without securing the
superior rectus at the intended site of reattachment to
Figure 41
A The superior oblique passes beneath the superior rectus
Surgical anatomy
the sclera, as in hang-loose recession, an unpre-
dictable result may occur simply on the basis of the
anatomy. The union of the superior oblique tendon
and superior rectus could pull the superior rectus for-
ward toward the limbus as the eye rotates from
depression to the primary position (Figure 42).
Therefore, the hang-loose recession of the superior
rectus muscle used in cases of dissociated vertical
deviation lacks a sound anatomic basis.
In order to recess the superior rectus more than 5
or 6 mm with a hang-loose, the superior rectus
should be freed from the superior oblique. For a
recession as great as 10 mm as some claim with the
hang-loose, the superior rectus insertion must be
behind the path of the superior oblique. Prieto Diaz
demonstrated with x-ray a 15 mm recession of the
superior rectus from the limbus in down gaze after
hang-loose of the superior rectus. Would this reces-
sion be as large with the eye in primary position?
B The superior oblique remains attached to the superior
rectus when the rectus is detached and pulled up.
39
Chapter 2

Figure 42
A When the eye is rotated downward, the superior rectus
is the intended distance in a very large hang loose
recession even if the superior oblique tendon - superior
rectus union is intact.
B When the eye returns to the primary position, the
superior rectus could be pulled forward, reducing the
amount of recession.

40

Whitnalls ligament
Whitnalls (superior transverse) ligament and the
superior oblique tendon in the trochlea have common
fascial attachments at the orbital rim (Figure 43). If
the superior transverse ligament is weakened inadver-
tently while hooking the superior oblique tendon,
thereby weakening the medial horn of the levator
muscle, ptosis of the nasal portion of the upper lid
A B
Figure 43
A The relationship of Whitnalls ligament and the superior
oblique tendon. Blind hooking the superior oblique
tendon can damage Whitnalls, producing ptosis.
B Whitnalls ligament acts like a clothesline with orbital
structures suspended.
Surgical anatomy
usually results. Therefore, it is safer to hook the supe-
rior oblique tendon under direct vision. This can be
done between the nasal border of the superior rectus
and the trochlea or an even safer place is at the inser-
tion. Whitnalls ligament acts as a clothesline, sus-
pending the levator aponeurosis and the medial por-
tion of the superior oblique tendon.
C Nasal ptosis right eye from disruption of Whitnalls
ligament after hooking of the superior oblique tendon in a
blind sweep nasal to the superior rectus.
41
Chapter 2
Trochlea
The trochlea remained the largest undescribed
portion of human anatomy until 1982. I began the
definitive study of the human trochlea with the origi-
nal exenteration specimen shown below that con-
tained the superior oblique tendon, trochlea, and the
distal superior oblique muscle, all in their physiolog-
ic relationships* (Figure 44). The intact nature of the
specimen allowed separation of the structures com-
prising the superior oblique complex as shown. This
specimen was carefully dissected and extensively
recorded including videotaped images showing the
way in which the superior oblique tendon passed
through or more accurately slid in a telescoping man-
ner inside the trochlea. These studies confirmed that
Figure 44
A Exenterated orbit specimen containing the superior
oblique complex
* Helveston EM, Merriam WW, Ellis FD, et. al. The trochlea: a study of the anatomy and physiology, Ophthalmology,
89(2):124, 1982.
42
the trochlea is the functional origin of the superior
oblique muscle (actually the superior oblique ten-
don).
The tendon of the superior oblique can tele-
scope inward toward the apex of the orbit approxi-
mately 16 mm during maximum downgaze in adduc-
tion and telescope 16 mm outward in maximum
upgaze in adduction. Tendon movement cannot
exceed these limits because the peripheral superior
oblique tendon fibers are attached to the trochlea.
The multiple fiber layers making up the superior
oblique tendon slide with a cumulative effect with
only the central fibers carrying out the maximum
excursion (Figure 45).
B The trochlear complex including: 1) distal muscle,
2) trochlea, and 3) proximal tendon. These were
dissected from exenteration specimen.
 Surgical anatomy

A B

Figure 45
A In downgaze the direction of movement of superior C In upgaze the direction of movement of superior oblique
oblique tendon fibers tendon fibers
B Location and distance of movement of the superior
oblique insertion in: 1) downgaze, 2) primary position,
and 3) upgaze

43
Chapter 2
Reasons why the trochlea remained unde-
scribed and undisturbed during the course of strabis-
mus surgery for so long include its location just inside
the superior orbital rim and its close relationship to
the superior orbital vessels and nerves (Figure 46).
The superior oblique tendon transfer procedure, as
first described, did include subperiosteal dislocation
of the trochlea through a skin incision, but there is no
evidence that the trochlea itself was seen when this
procedure was done. Most anatomic drawings rep-
resent the trochlea in a stylized fashion, portraying it
as a sling through which the tendon passes freely or
else it is shown as a lump with the tendon entering
on one side and exiting on the other.
Study of the trochlea first made possible by the
exenteration specimen shown in Figure 44 and later
A B
Figure 46
A The trochlea attached to the medial orbital wall with the
tendon entering and exiting.
A B
Figure 47 Dimensions of the trochlea
A Saggital
44
by study of autopsy specimens demonstrated that the
bulk of the trochlea is made up of a cartilage saddle
5.5 mm long, 4 mm thick, and 4 mm wide with a
groove facing the orbital wall and with a curve con-
vexed toward the bone (Figure 47). Scanning elec-
tron microscopy demonstrates the following trochlear
components (Figure 48):
1) Cartilage saddle
2) A bursa-like space on the bearing surface
between the tendon and the groove in the
cartilaginous saddle
3) A fibrillar-vascular structure surrounding
the superior oblique tendon
4) The superior oblique tendon
5) Fibrous bands attaching the trochlea to the
bone of the orbit
B With fascial tissues removed the superior oblique tendon
seen exiting the trochlea through a cuff attached to the
trochlea.
B Coronal
 Surgical anatomy

Figure 48
1) cartilage saddle, 2) bursa, 3) fibrillar - vascular space, 4) tendon, 5) attachment to orbital rim

The superior oblique tendon in the trochlea is
made up of approximately 270 bundles of fibers. In
the several specimens studied, individual fibers in the
bundles range in size from 0.01 to 0.1 mm. The fibers
appear discreet and flattened or triangular (Figure
49).
A description of the conclusions of the work
describing the form and function of the trochlea is
depicted in a composite drawn schematically by
Craig Gosling of the medical illustration department
at the Indiana University School of Medicine demon-
strates the proposed dynamic relationship of the com-
ponents of the trochlea. Significantly, the superior
oblique tendon fibers appear to slide by each other
with a definite limit for each fiber, meaning that the
more central fibers move farther than the more
peripheral fibers and that the tendon moves with a
cumulative effect (Figure 50).

Figure 49
Scanning electron microscopy view of superior oblique tendon x320

45
Chapter 2
Figure 50
In the combined experience of strabismus sur-
geons, the superior oblique muscle has been found to
be anomalous more frequently than any other
extraocular muscle. The insertion varies widely in its
location. More importantly, absence of the superior
oblique tendon in cases of superior oblique palsy
has been observed and reported. In most of these
cases, a diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral superior
oblique palsy was made and surgery was undertaken
with the intention of doing a tuck of the superior
oblique tendon. If a careful search at the insertion
reveals no superior oblique tendon in these cases, the
incision should be enlarged, the superior rectus
detached, and the sclera inspected from the superior
border of the horizontal recti to several millimeters
posterior to the equator, including the entire anterior-
superior globe. If no superior oblique tendon is
found, an inferior oblique myectomy is carried out.
Also performed is a recession of the yoke of the
absent superior oblique, the contra lateral inferior rec-
tus, and/or recession of the ipsilateral superior rectus
(Figure 51).
46
Composite
When these patients were studied retrospective-
ly, they had, in addition to their apparent superior
oblique palsy, a higher incidence of amblyopia and/or
horizontal strabismus compared to patients with
superior oblique palsy in whom a superior oblique
tendon was found. Only 1 of 28 patients with congen-
ital superior oblique palsy who had a superior oblique
tendon at surgery had amblyopia and/or horizontal
strabismus. Also, all patients who eventually had
absence of one or both superior oblique muscles had
pronounced underaction of the superior oblique mus-
cle on the involved side preoperatively. Absence of
the trochlea and superior oblique muscle has been
demonstrated on CT (Figure 52). Patients with a
diagnosis of congenital superior oblique palsy, with
or without a superior oblique tendon, have in com-
mon a superior oblique traction test suggesting a lax
or absent tendon and are likely to have facial asym-
metry, with the larger face on the side of the paretic or
absent superior oblique.
 Surgical anatomy

Figure 51
A Gaze positions showing overaction of the right inferior B At surgery, absence of the right superior oblique tendon
oblique and underaction of the right superior oblique. was confirmed.

Figure 52
A CT scan showing trochlea on the left and no trochlea on B Same patient demonstrating the superior oblique muscle
the right. on the right and no muscle on the left.

47
Chapter 2
Anterior segment blood supply
The principal blood supply to the anterior seg-
ment of the eye is from the anterior ciliary arteries,
which travel in the four rectus muscles with anasto-
moses to the conjunctival and anterior Tenons ves-
sels (Figure 53). These arteries are the major blood
supply to the anterior segment. The rest of the blood
to the anterior segment is supplied by the two long
posterior ciliary arteries that come forward intrascle-
rally at the 3- and 9-oclock positions. Both sets of
arteries originate from the ophthalmic artery. Each of
the rectus muscles has two anterior ciliary arteries,
with the exception of the lateral rectus which has one.
These arteries lie within the muscle until near the ten-
don when they exit the muscle and travel in the mus-
cle capsule. There they are visible until reaching the
muscles insertion where they enter sclera to form the
episcleral circle. From the episcleral circle, blood
flows to the intramuscular circle and from there flows
into multiple branches of the major arterial circle sup-
plying blood to the ciliary muscle, ciliary process,
and iris. This circle is discontinuous. The anterior
ciliary arteries furnish 70 to 80% of the blood supply
to the anterior segment. The long posterior ciliary
artery bypasses the episcleral circle and joins the
intramuscular circle. The recurrent ciliary artery
serving the choroid is supplied by the intramuscular
circle. The long posterior ciliary arteries provide less
than 30% of the blood supply to the anterior segment.
Of the two long posterior ciliary arteries, the medial
provides the most blood (Figure 54).
As a rule, at least one anterior ciliary artery
should remain undisturbed by strabismus surgery to
avoid anterior segment ischemia. However, anterior
segment ischemic changes have been seen after as
few as two muscles have been detached. Conversely,
all four muscles have been detached at one procedure
or in two, staged procedures separated by months or
years without producing anterior segment ischemia,
in some cases. Orge, et. al. have shown that detach-
ment of rectus muscles can reduce blood flow in the
ophthalmic artery 30%, presumably because of
downstream effects. Such a change in susceptible
individuals could lead to acute anterior segment
ischemia.
There is no evidence that severed anterior ciliary
arteries ever recanalize to nourish the anterior seg-
ment, but time could be a factor in establishing col-
lateral circulation. The conjunctival circulation and
its contribution to the anterior segment have been dis-
cussed as factors that influence the type of conjuncti-
val incision to be made. The cul-de-sac incision,
which disrupts conjunctival circulation less than the
limbal incision, has been suggested as being safer. In
contrast, Awaya has detached all four rectus muscles
at a single procedure to lower intraocular pressure as
an alternative to cyclocryotherapy in advanced glau-
48
coma. Patients achieved lowered intraocular pressure
without experiencing the typical clinical signs of
anterior segment ischemia.
The medial anterior segment circulation is the
most protected because it is supplied by two anterior
ciliary arteries and a long posterior ciliary artery
(Figure 55). The superior and inferior quadrants are
the least protected because they have no long posteri-
or ciliary artery. In clinical practice, it is not known
with certainty what factors ultimately influence the
postsurgical dynamics of anterior segment circulation
in a given case. Some useful guidelines follow:
1. When a muscle is detached and reattached,
anterior ciliary vessels do not recannulate.
2. Because there are no long posterior ciliary
arteries superiorly or inferiorly, detachment
of the superior or inferior rectus muscles
disrupts iris vessel filling more than detach-
ment of the horizontal recti.
3. Older, vascularly-compromised patients may
be more likely than young, healthy patients
to develop anterior segment changes after
eye muscle surgery.
4. Iris angiography is a valid way to assess
anterior segment circulation at a given time,
but it is not a valid or practical predictor to
determine what might happen if eye muscles
are detached.
5. Anterior segment ischemia is rare, fortu-
nately.
6. If anterior segment ischemia occurs, it
should be treated with atropine and frequent
instillation of topical steroids.
Figure 53
There are seven anterior ciliary arteries, two each in the
superior, inferior, and medial rectus muscles. The lateral
rectus has one. The anatomy of these vessels is subject to
marked variation.
 Surgical anatomy

Figure 54
Schematic of the blood supply of the anterior segment from Saunders, et. al.
ACA = anterior ciliary artery IMC = intramuscular circle
LPCA = long posterior ciliary artery RCA = recurrent choroidal artery

From Saunders RA, et al. Anterior segment ischemia after strabismus surgery. Survey of Ophthalmology, 1994, 38(5):456-
466. Used with permission.

A B

Figure 55
A Normal iris filling after preoperative intravenous injection
of fluorescein in a 30-year-old man.
B First postoperative day after detachment and transfer of
the superior and inferior rectus muscles. Note superior
and inferior sector filling delay.
continued.

49
Chapter 2

Figure 55, contd

From Olver J, Lee JP: Eye 3:318-326, 1989.

A variety of eye muscle transfer procedures,

including the Jensen tendon-muscle splitting transfer,
are designed to spare one anterior ciliary vessel in
each of the split muscles. However, von Noorden has
pointed out that the surgeon should look for anom-
alous anterior ciliary vessels that may crowd to the
half of the muscle that is pulled over for the transfer
and should then avoid ligating both vessels since this
would leave no anterior ciliary vessel in the undis-
turbed portion of the muscle.
Both McKeown, et. al., and Roth, in separate
papers published in 1989, described a technique for
detaching a rectus muscle while sparing the anterior
ciliary arteries (Figure 56). The technique requires
meticulous dissection aided by magnification with the
operation microscope. Because of the low incidence Figure 56
of clinically significant anterior segment ischemia The anterior ciliary arteries are dissected from the
and the difficulty of this procedure, its use is likely to superficial capsular muscle tissue allowing repositioning of
be highly selective. the muscle while leaving blood flow undisturbed.

50

Vortex veins
There are normally four vortex veins in each eye.
They are located roughly equidistant in the quadrants
of the globe; that is, 90 degrees apart (Figure 57).
These veins drain blood from the iris, ciliary body,
and choroid. Their appearance is variable and rarely
will they number greater than four. These veins have
a tortuous 5-7 mm intrascleral course and a similar
extrascleral course before passing through posterior
Tenons into the intraconal space. The superior vor-
tex veins empty into the superior orbital vein, and the
remaining vortex veins empty into the inferior orbital
vein.
In the course of strabismus surgery, each of the
vortex veins seems to have its own personality
(Figure 58). The superior temporal vortex vein is
seen at the posterior insertion of the superior oblique
tendon. This is a reliable finding. The superior nasal
vortex vein and/or the inferior nasal vortex vein may
be seen while recessing the medial rectus, but rarely.
The inferior nasal and inferior temporal vortex veins
A B
Figure 57 The four vortex veins are viewed from the posterior aspect of the globe.
A Lateral
A B
Figure 58
A The superior temporal vortex vein is seen at the posterior
insertion of the superior oblique. Vortex veins are not
seen routinely during surgery on the superior rectus.
Surgical anatomy
are observed in almost every case of inferior rectus
surgery. This occurs because the inferior vortex veins
are situated about 1 mm closer to the midline near the
equator. Dissection of the inferior rectus is usually
carried posteriorly to a point often posterior to the
inferior vortex veins to limit the lid effects of
Lockwoods ligament. The inferior temporal vortex
vein is encountered in nearly every case when engag-
ing the inferior oblique in the inferior temporal quad-
rant. It is rare to encounter a vortex vein during sur-
gery on the superior or lateral rectus.
If the surgeon exercises reasonable care, the vor-
tex veins will remain intact. They look vulnerable but
are actually fairly resistant to careful manipulation.
Rupture of a vortex vein is rare, if surgery is done
carefully. If a vortex vein is ruptured, it is treated
with compression, and if necessary, cautery. A great
deal of discoloration and swelling will occur, but
there is no lasting complications to the surgery.
B Medial
B A vortex vein may be seen but rarely at either (or both)
borders of the medial rectus.
continued.
51
Chapter 2

C D

Figure 58, contd

C A vortex vein is seen routinely under the mid-belly of the D Vortex veins are seen at one or both borders of the
distal inferior oblique. inferior rectus.

Orbit and extraocular muscle

imaging
Two widely used techniques for imaging the
orbit and the extraocular muscles are computed A
tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) (Figure 59). CT utilizes high resolution x-rays
recorded in fine cuts. CT is superior to MRI for
detecting calcium within a lesion or bony changes
such as with an orbital fracture and in identifying
early invasion or modeling from an adjacent lesion.
Iodine-containing contrast material can aid the diag-
nostic capability of CT but possible side effects could
be serious.
MRI provides high soft tissue contrast along with
high spatial resolution achievable in multiple planes
giving excellent anatomic detail of soft tissues. The
MRI utilizes a strong magnetic field to align a portion
of the nuclear spin that is ordinarily random. Using
the aligned proton as a target, the field is exposed to
pulsed energy that momentarily allows the proton to
B
resume its usual position only to become realigned at
the end of the pulse. The energy given off during
realignment enables the signal which in turn produces
the image. The pulse sequences are called T1 and T2.
Fluid is dark on T1 weighted images, and fat is bright.
Fat is darker and less distinct on T2 weighted images
(Figure 60). Various techniques are available to sup-
press the fat with T1 images thus providing a better
image of some orbital contents.
For viewing the extraocular muscles, T1 weight-
ed images of dark muscles are satisfactory. The
views may be coronal, axial, or saggital (Figure 61).
Thyroid myopathy with enlarged muscle bellies is
seen well in a coronal view but can also be appreciat-
ed in the axial and saggital views. Enlarged muscles
can also be seen in pseudo tumor which involves all
of the muscle and tendon in contrast to thyroid
myopathy that spares the tendon. Myositis is also Figure 59
readily observed as muscle enlargement. These sub- A Axial CT
B Axial MRI - T1 weighted image
tle diagnostic differences can be detected on a com-
plete MRI study.

52
 Surgical anatomy

A B

Figure 60
A Normal T1 weighted coronal MRI B Abnormal T1 weighted coronal MRI showing enlarged
inferior recti (dark area).

A B

Figure 61
A Normal T2 weighted axial MRI C Normal T1 weighted saggital MRI
B T1 weighted axial MRI with diminished signal from fat.
Note the enlarged muscle bellies.

53
Chapter 2
While coronal and saggital views are effective
for finding muscle belly enlargement, the axial view
is best for identifying a slipped or lost muscle.
Because of the anatomic characteristics of the rectus
muscles, the medial rectus is the only muscle likely to
undergo sufficient slippage to present a clinical chal-
lenge in finding the muscle.
Recent description of the muscle pulleys, partic-
ularly those related to the horizontal recti, has
prompted Demer and associates to stress the value of
imaging for the diagnosis and treatment planning of a
variety of strabismus entities. These include:
incomitant strabismus, A and V patterns, Brown recession were done. Therefore, it has been advocat-
syndrome, heavy eye in high myopia, and others.
The strabismus surgeon now employs imaging
on a selective basis. Some deterrents to routine use of
imaging include: high cost, inability to use in young
children, lack of need in many cases, and, of course,
habit. It is likely, in the future, that techniques will
improve and costs will come down making imaging a
more frequently-utilized tool for strabismus manage-
ment. Ultrasound in the A or B scan mode can be
employed as an alternative method for orbital and
extraocular muscle imaging. This technique is office
based and less expensive but is more difficult to inter-
pret.
Growth of eye from birth
through childhood
The eye undergoes significant growth between
the neonatal period and adulthood (Figure 62). Study
of this growth in vivo is made possible by the use of
accurate, quick, and reliable A-scan biometry. The A-
scan biometer, used principally for intraocular lens
calculations in adults, has been applied to children to
obtain measurements of the anteroposterior diameter.
Gilles first used these measurements which he com-
bined with corneal diameter measurements and meas-
urements of the medial rectus insertion site to arrive
at a more scientific formula for recession of the medi-
al recti. Kushner found an inverse relationship
between axial length and response (prism diopter
change per millimeter of surgery) in esotropic
patients. This finding is expected since the maximum
torque can be obtained with a smaller gear or, in eso - hypotropia or heavy eye.
54
the case of strabismus surgery, with a smaller eye. In
clinical practice, the most important advantages of
using these measurements seem to be consistency and
the ability to do the largest recession without crip-
pling the medial rectus by placing the new insertion
too far posteriorly.
Studies of the globe in neonates and infants
indicate that the posterior aspect of the globe is rela-
tively hypodeveloped compared to the anterior
aspect. This means that recession of the medial rectus
in a newborn could put the new insertion site behind
the equator, even in cases where as little as 3 mm of
ed that surgery should not be done on very young
infants. Surgery on infants as young as two or three
months has been reported, but is not something that
could be considered routine or advisable based on
anatomic studies. In addition, there is good evidence
that four months may be the earliest age that congen-
ital esotropia can be diagnosed with confidence.
Surgery on infants with infantile esotropia between
the fourth and sixth month is now common and is
safe. The axial length of the typical eye at this age is
19.5 mm. Such eyes are entirely suitable for surgery
consisting of bimedial rectus recession to a point
approximately 9.5 mm from the limbus. A safe lower
age limit for surgery in cases of congenital infantile
esotropia with no other contraindications is four
months. Surgery for congenital esotropia by six
months of age is now common and is shown in Figure
63.
Nanophthalmos describes an otherwise normal-
ly functioning eye but with a shorter anteroposterior
diameter. These eyes have increased scleral thickness
but decreased rigidity and are subject to retinal
detachment. These eyes also have hyperopia and an
increased incidence of glaucoma.
High myopia results in a significant increase in
the anteroposterior diameter. Anteroposterior diame-
ters as long as 27 mm in a six-year-old child with
-11.00 D of myopia have been measured and some
adults have axial length measurements greater than
30 mm. This can lead to intermuscular membrane
rupture, pulley displacement, and muscle slip causing

Figure 62
A One-week-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 17+ mm
B Three-month-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 18+
mm
C Four-month-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 19.5+
mm
Surgical anatomy
D One-year-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 20+ mm
E Two-year-old child,anterior-posterior diameter 21+ mm.
F Three-year-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 22+ mm
G Five-year-old child, anterior-posterior diameter 23+ mm
55
Chapter 2

A location (Figure 64).
B than the sclera into which it is inserted. This could
C A much safer needle to use is the spatula design.
Figure 63
A Six-month-old with 50 diopters congenital esotropia
preoperatively.
B Same patient immediately after surgery in the operating
room. Both medial recti were recessed to a point 10 mm
from the limbus. The axial length was 19.5 mm in each
eye.
C Same patient at age 1 year.
Sclera
The thickness of the sclera varies according to
1. At the limbus, the sclera is 0.8 mm thick.
2. Anterior to the rectus muscle insertions, it is
0.6 mm thick.
3. Posterior to the rectus muscle insertions, it is
0.3 mm thick.
4. At the equator, it is 0.5 to 0.8 mm thick.
5. At the posterior pole, it is greater than 1 mm
thick. The area of greatest surgical activity
for the extraocular muscle surgeon coincides
with the thinnest area of the sclera.
Care must be exercised when placing a needle
into the sclera (Figure 65). A reverse cutting needle
should be used only while exercising extreme caution
because such a needle may be as thick as or thicker
lead to scleral perforation, an event that undoubtedly
occurs more often than is suspected or reported.
Fortunately, most cases of inadvertent scleral perfora-
tion heal without incident. If such a cutting needle is
used, it should be very fine (preferably less than 0.3
mm), if possible, and it should be inserted carefully
with the top of the needle seen through the superficial
sclera at all times. For added safety, the cutting edge
can be directed sideways so that it cuts along the scle-
ral lamellae rather than into the eye, as shown. A
curved cutting needle is less likely to perforate the
sclera than a reverse cutting needle, but the curved
cutting needle is prone to cut itself out of the sclera
unless an excessively deep bite is taken.
With such a needle, only the tip and sides are cutting
edges. The sclera is displaced upward and downward
away from the body of the needle and is cut laterally
and ahead of the needle. This action makes the com-
plication of scleral perforation less likely to occur
with spatula needles than with cutting needles. The
spatula needles widest dimension should remain par-
allel to the scleral surface. Needles with a wire diam-
eter of .203 mm are both sufficiently strong and deli-
cate enough to be inserted safely.
A keystone spatula, with cutting tip up, is safe
but can cut out of sclera. A keystone spatula, cutting
tip down, produces a longer track but can also cut in
to the eye. A hexagonal spatula or neutral tip needle
must be guided to stay at mid-scleral level.
The sclera is white and opaque when fully
hydrated. If this tissue becomes dried out, it becomes
dark amber-colored and translucent. Re-hydration
rapidly restores the opaque whiteness of the scleral
tissue.

56
 Surgical anatomy

A B

Figure 64
A The sclera varies in thickness according to location B The sclera is thinnest, 0.3 mm, posterior to the rectus
muscle insertion

A B

D E

Figure 65
A Keystone spatula, cutting tip down D Reverse cutting - tends to cut in - can be placed
B Keystone spatula, cutting tip up sideways
C Hexagonal spatula, neutral cutting tip E Curved cutting - tends to be cut out

57
58

Parasurgical procedures
and preparation
Overview
The instruments required for extraocular mus-
cle surgery are simple and relatively few. As with any
type of surgery, however, the surgeon must have
available all instruments required for a particular pro-
cedure, and these instruments must be in good work-
ing order.
Anesthesia suitable for extraocular muscle sur-
gery varies according to the patient's individual
requirements and the surgeon's personal preference.
Children always require general anesthesia with
endotracheal intubation or with ketamine dissociation
which can be used with or without endotracheal intu-
bation. Insufflation anesthesia, which leaves the
patient's airway unguarded except by the patients
own response, has been replaced in most cases by
safer techniques which guard the airway. The gener-
al anesthetic agent or agents used for children or
adults are usually determined by the anesthesiologist.
Cooperative adults may be operated on successfully
with local anesthesia, and a few surgeons have used
topical anesthesia for extraocular muscle surgery in
carefully selected patients.
The lids and face around both eyes must be
washed and properly draped and the operative field
freed of clutter to prepare the patient for surgery.
Antibiotic drops or ointment, often with steroid, are
used postoperatively by nearly all strabismus sur-
geons. Infection after strabismus surgery is not com-
mon, and rarely serious, and reaction to surgery tends
to be mild. However, the use of postoperative antibi-
otics often with added corticosteroid is still consid-
ered worthwhile by many surgeons. A patch may be
used according to the surgeon's preference, but is usu-
ally not necessary.
Surgery is done on an outpatient basis, with
both children and adults arriving at the hospital on the
morning of surgery and leaving several hours after
3
surgery. In cases where the health of a patient could
be compromised by outpatient surgery, the patient
can be admitted the day before surgery. Occasionally,
a patient requires admission on the night of surgery
on an unscheduled basis because of excessive vomit-
ing, breathing difficulties, or some other complication
which may be unrelated to the surgery itself.
The advent of mandated outpatient strabismus
surgery requires that the surgeon and staff, including
the operating room and recovery nurses and anesthe-
sia staff, participate in thorough preoperative educa-
tion. This includes the family and to some degree the
patient, including both the understanding child and
the adult. The family and/or patient should be made
to understand that all liquids and solids by mouth
must be withheld for a period of up to 8 hours before
the scheduled time of surgery. The family and/or
patient should be assisted in obtaining necessary pre-
operative laboratory tests before the day of surgery.
In the past, this has consisted of determination of
hemoglobin or hematocrit, but this is now considered
unnecessary in a healthy child. Further blood testing
is rarely required. A urinalysis is not required. Most
adult patients over 55 years of age require an electro-
cardiogram (ECG), which is usually performed in the
holding area just before surgery. In selected cases of
adult patients and less often in children with a history
of lung or breathing difficulties, a chest x-ray study is
required. Patients taking anticoagulants should be
advised to consult their primary physicians regarding
a safe time to stop and then restart this medicine.
Likewise, diabetics or patients with other significant
health issues must be identified and given proper
advice, usually by their primary care physician.
A patient who lives fairly close to the facility
where the surgery is performed may leave from home
and return home on the day of surgery. In cases
59
Chapter 3
where the patient lives farther away, i.e., more than
two hours by car, it may be more convenient for the
patient and family to stay the night before surgery in
a hotel, motel, with family living locally, or in a hos-
pital-based housing facility nearby. Likewise, for
comfort and safety, these patients should stay near the
hospital on the night of surgery. These patients may
be examined on the day after surgery. Other patients
needing same day adjustment of an adjustable suture
can be retained in a short stay hospital unit. A next-
day examination is an absolute requirement if an
adjustable suture must be adjusted on the morning
after surgery but it is optional in most other cases.
From a practical standpoint, it is necessary to
stress to patients the importance of arriving at the
hospital at the appointed time in order to avoid a shut-
down of the operating room for lack of a patient. At
the same time, it is necessary to explain that because
of occasional unavoidable delays, the surgery may
not start at the scheduled time. It is essential to pro-
vide the family additional support during the outpa-
tient surgery process because both the patients and
their families tend to be less comfortable as outpa-
tients compared to in-patients.
Physical examination
The physical examination is simple and is usu-
ally completed just before surgery. However, to expe-
dite the flow of outpatient surgery, it may be com-
pleted in the clinic or office up to 30 days* before
scheduled surgery. Likewise, laboratory tests are
valid for 30 days*. No matter when the physical
examination takes place, the patient's temperature is
recorded just before surgery. In addition, at this time,
the anesthesiologist performs auscultation of the
lungs and the heart and reviews the patient's current
and past medications and the pertinent anesthesia his-
tory.
The preoperative history obtained by the sur-
geon or team includes inquiry about upper respirato-
ry or breathing difficulties, cardiac difficulties, fever,
ear infection, bleeding tendencies, and prior anesthe-
sia difficulties (especially family history of malignant
hyperthermia). Any medicine used, including aspirin,
should be recorded and made known to the surgeon.
Drug allergies should be noted. The history continues
with a review of systems. Physical examination
includes evaluation of the heart and lungs and an
overall observation of the patient.
The eye findings that were recorded in the clin-
ic chart at the time surgery was scheduled should be
reviewed, and the patient's current motility should be
compared to these findings. If there is a major dis-
crepancy between these findings, it may be prudent to
cancel surgery, although this action is rarely taken.
* Time limits may vary at different facilities.
60
The main purpose of the immediate preoperative
examination, in my opinion, is to confirm that the sur-
geon has accurate information so that the proper sur-
gery will be performed. If the physical status mili-
tates against a safe surgical experience, surgery
should be canceled and rescheduled. In cases where
there is a question about a child being ill before the
day scheduled for surgery, parents are advised to call
a day or two ahead of surgery and to consult their
local doctor about the advisability of proceeding. The
combined surgeon-anesthesiologist history and phys-
ical examination done immediately preoperatively
ensures that the patient is sufficiently healthy to
undergo surgery. A sample preoperative physical
examination is shown in Figure 1.
Consent for strabismus
surgery
Before strabismus surgery is begun, appropri-
ate informed consent must be obtained from the
patient or from a parent or legal guardian. A standard
operative consent form is available in most surgical
facilities. A sample of this form is shown in Figure 2.
In addition to the standard consent form with the
usual disclaimers used for any type of surgery, it is
necessary to advise patients undergoing strabismus
surgery of the following complications unique to stra-
bismus surgery:
Diplopia. Patients should be told they might see dou-
ble at some time after surgery. This can occur as soon
as the patient opens his/her eyes after surgery.
Diplopia can even be considered a favorable sign in
patients with fusion potential. In case of an incomi-
tant deviation, a patient may be able to find double
vision looking in one direction, but also may be able
to eliminate it looking in another. Patients are told
not to be alarmed if diplopia occurs. They should be
told that it either goes away or if not, it can be man-
aged successfully in nearly every case.
Loss of vision. Loss of vision after strabismus sur-
gery can occur, but it is rare! For example, this can
occur if a needle is placed too deeply, passing through
the retina and producing a vitreous hemorrhage which
can clear with time, or it can cause retinal detach-
ment. Although scleral-retinal perforation may occur
in as many as 1% of strabismus cases, significant
complications from this cause are rare. Infection pro-
ducing endophthalmitis can also cause loss of vision.
Fortunately, this too is extremely rare. Anterior seg-
ment ischemia causing cataract can cause variable
reduction in vision.
 Parasurgical procedures and preparation

Figure 1

61
Chapter 3

Figure 2

62

Need for reoperation. The need for a reoperation
after strabismus surgery is not really a complication
by itself. In most cases, before doing strabismus sur-
gery, the surgeon can give the patient an approximate
percentage figure for the need for reoperation. For
example, the surgeon can tell the patient/family that
in spite of making a 100% effort to straighten the
eyes, there is a (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.) likelihood of
the need for reoperation. In the case of congenital
esotropia, this percentage is between 5% and 20%. In
cases where prior surgery has been performed, when
the strabismus is complicated, or after injury, need for
reoperation may be as high as 50%. A reoperation
may be necessary, even in a case where everything
goes exactly as planned, because a totally predictable
response is not possible in every case. On the other
hand, in cases of a slipped or lost muscle, excessive
hemorrhage, fat exposure, etc., reoperation may be
necessary where things did not go as planned.
A separate consent obtained by the anesthesiol-
ogist can include information about the chance of
breathing difficulties, vomiting, sore throat, or even
of heart attack or death!
Instruments used in
strabismus surgery
The complete instrument assortment for stra-
bismus surgery is shown as assembled on the instru-
ment stand (Figure 3). Not every instrument is used
in each case, but ideally, all should be available each
time strabismus surgery is done. In case the complete
set is not available, the minimum instruments for stra-
bismus surgery are the following: lid speculum, fine
Figure 3
Parasurgical procedures and preparation
scissors, fine forceps, muscle hooks of various sizes,
retractors, needle holders, a caliper, and something to
provide cautery. An open flame and a probe project-
ing from a metal ball are used in many developing
countries to achieve cautery. Although a variety of
specialized instruments have been introduced over
the years, these basic instruments have remained
essentially unchanged in number and design for a
hundred years or more.
In response to finer sutures and needles, better
understanding of anatomy, and more widespread use
of magnification, several modifications to the basic
instruments for strabismus surgery have been made.
These instruments are now available from Katena
Products, Inc. (Figure 4). These include the
Lieberman speculum in an adult and pediatric size;
and the Helveston Barbie retractor in three sizes,
standard, big, and great big, used in place of the
bulkier Desmarres retractors. Also newly modified
are three muscle hooks including the small, right
angle teaser hook to be used in place of the heavier
curved Stevens hook; three sizes of the standard mus-
cle hook with a finer hook end to be used in place of
the bulkier Jameson hook; and two sizes of a sharp,
pointed finder hook to be used very carefully as a
combination muscle hook and dissector. A curved
caliper is a modification of an earlier instrument
developed by William Scott. This newer caliper is
both finer at the tip which also has a marking point
and has a longer handle making it easier to use. A
modification of the Moody locking Castroviejo
includes a curved, heavier handle and a more durable
sliding lock mechanism.
63
Chapter 3
A D
B E
C F
Figure 4 Helveston instruments
A Teaser hook
B Finder hook
C Fine muscle hooks
Other specialized instruments for strabismus
surgery that have not been shown in the complete sur-
gery set are used according to the individual sur-
geons preference. These include various muscle
resection clamps; the superior oblique tendon tucker
in several sizes; muscle hooks with a thin metallic
shield to guard against too deep needle placement;
the heavy Green muscle hook especially used by
some surgeons who perform the cul-de-sac incision; a
hook with a double foot to aid suture placement; and
more.
The size and style of forceps depends on the
surgeons preference. In general, two sizes include
the heavier size with 0.5 mm teeth and the more del-
icate forceps with 0.12 mm teeth, especially useful
for grasping the conjunctiva. The design of the teeth,
especially those found on the 0.5 mm forceps, vary in
their effect on tissue grasping and tissue tearing. The
Pearse forceps features a half circle cut out on each
arm of the forceps that have square tips. This design
is easier on tissue. There is also a wide array of nee-
dle holders either locking or non-locking with jaws of
varying size and shape suitable for the needles used
according to the surgeons preference.
Sutures and needles for
strabismus surgery
Overview, historical perspective
Nonabsorbable suture - early use
Strabismus surgery, introduced by Dieffenbach
in 1839, was done without suture. At the outset, tech-
niques were limited to partial or complete myotomy
64
D Barbie retractor (3 sizes)
E Scleral ruler (modified from William Scott)
F Moody-Castroviejo curved locking forceps (with slider)
or tenotomy whose only effect was to weaken the
muscle. Simply cutting the muscle like this frequent-
ly produced overcorrection that was difficult or
impossible to reverse. As a result, the initial wave of
enthusiasm for strabismus surgery waned.
By the second half of the nineteenth century,
heavy silk sutures about the size of current 4-0 or 5-0
calibre were employed to control weakening and also
for muscle shortening or strengthening. These silk
sutures were often waxed at the time of surgery to
help ease the passage through tissue. The re-usable
needles for introducing this suture were large, made
of round wire, and had an eye to thread the suture.
Because of the bulk of these needles compared to the
thickness (thinness) of the sclera, sutures secured the
muscle to overlying Tenon's capsule and conjunctiva
with the knots tied externally. Muscles were not
anchored to the sclera as done today. These silk
sutures eventually had to be removed to avoid infec-
tion or excess reaction.
Animal product absorbable suture
Absorbable, catgut suture that is actually pro-
duced from sheep intestine was introduced for stra-
bismus surgery around the turn of the twentieth cen-
tury. This suture was used widely until the early
1970's. Catgut suture offered a definite advantage
over silk by being absorbable. Disadvantages of
catgut suture are that it lacks strength and uniformity.
These sutures also produce significant inflammatory
reaction. In an attempt to remedy some of these prob-
lems, collagen suture was introduced in the 1960's.
Though still an animal product absorbable suture and
no stronger than catgut, collagen promised some
 Parasurgical procedures and preparation

improvement over catgut. Collagen suture is formed A small drawback of braided synthetic
by an extrusion of homogenized, pooled beef fascia absorbable suture is a tendency for the suture to
and is 100% collagen, making it smooth, conforma- engage tissue and drag this tissue along with the
ble, and easy to handle. Collagen suture also is easy suture (Figure 5). This can lead to premature knotting
to tie, producing a secure knot. Theoretically, the and inaccurate tissue apposition. When using this
pooled fascia making up collagen suture should result synthetic suture, it is important for the surgeon to be
in reduced antigenicity and therefore reduced inflam- aware of this and to avoid tissue drag while advanc-
matory reaction making it superior to catgut. On the ing the suture. With all of the advantages offered by
contrary, reaction with collagen is similar to that seen this new suture, this small annoyance is just that,
with catgut. Mild to moderate inflammatory reaction small and manageable. Another thing to remember
occurs in about one case in five and severe suture with this synthetic absorbable suture is that it does not
granuloma occurs in about one percent. An addition-
al drawback is that when using either catgut or colla-
gen, anyone but the most expert surgeon can expect to
break at least one suture per strabismus surgical pro-
cedure!
A
Synthetic absorbable suture
Beginning in the 1970's, synthetic absorbable
suture became available for strabismus surgery. This
material is a polymer of sugar and is called polygly-
colic acid or polyglactin 910, the latter also known as
Vicryl. This uniform, braided suture is coated with a
material similar to that used for making the suture
itself. This coating is added to smooth the suture
making for easier passage through tissue. For either
recession or resection of a muscle, 6-0 suture is suf-
ficiently strong and is the choice of most surgeons.
For closure of the conjunctiva, 8-0 suture may be
used. Some surgeons prefer to use an 8-0 collagen for B
this purpose because this suture dissolves readily and
strength is not an issue for this suture application.
In addition to being both strong and uniform,
synthetic absorbable suture is less likely to cause tis-
sue reaction as seen with animal product sutures. The
incidence of tissue reaction of any kind with synthet-
ic absorbable suture is on the order of one percent or
less. These sutures retain holding properties for 14 to
21 days, a time more than sufficient to ensure secure
healing of the extraocular muscle to sclera, something
which actually takes place in a few days. The syn-
thetic absorbable suture absorbs completely in about
three months.
In a recent survey of experienced strabismus C
surgeons, the introduction of synthetic absorbable
suture was near the top in importance of all of the
innovations for strabismus management in the past
half century. Several of those surgeons considered
the introduction of this suture to be the most impor-
tant strabismus treatment advance in this period. It is
likely that the re-introduction of adjustable sutures,
another of the strabismus related top ten events of
the past half century, was made possible largely Figure 5
because of synthetic absorbable suture. This suture is A The rough braided surface of braided Vicryl can lead to
tissue grab as it passes through Tenons capsule
strong enough to allow the manipulation required at B Comparison of 1) collagen, 2) uncoated, undyed Vicryl,
adjustment while also being absorbable and minimal- 3) coated, dyed Vicryl
ly reactive. C Poor muscle scleral union due to premature knotting

65
Chapter 3

dissolve unless buried. Exposed knots become stiff muscle to sclera? To answer these questions, Coats
and can be irritating. It is sometimes necessary to cut and Paysse placed 6-0 Vicryl sutures into human bank
off the knots of exposed 8-0 sutures used to close con- sclera with the suture track at various depths and
junctiva. lengths and then measured the force necessary to pull
Nonabsorbable suture the suture free from sclera. The results showed that
suture placed in a track 1.5 mm or longer at a depth
Nonabsorbable suture such as 5-0 or 6-0 nylon
of at least 0.2 mm required in excess of 200 gm force
or Dacron which causes minimal reaction and is supe-
to cause the suture track to fail. This is a greater force
rior to silk may be used for tucking procedures car-
than can be expected in the physiologic state, indicat-
ried out on the superior oblique tendon or rectus mus-
ing that this manner of suture placement in sclera is
cles. This type of suture is also useful for rectus mus-
both safe and effective (Figure 7).
cle union as done with the Jensen procedure or more
Some surgeons prefer the crossed swords
recently that described by Foster and Buckley for the
needle placement as described by Parks (Figure 8).
enhancement of rectus muscle transfer. The posterior
With this technique, the needles are passed through
fixation suture (retro-equatorial myopexy) or faden
sclera for approximately 5.0 mm or longer. These
operation is also a place where non-absorbable
sutures are useful.
Black silk sutures size 4-0 or 5-0 are useful for
traction during surgery. They are placed temporarily
A
near the limbus to pull the eye in a given direction to
facilitate exposure. Another use of black silk traction
sutures is to pull and then anchor the eye in an exag-
gerated direction for a few days after surgery. This
maneuver is designed to oppose early postoperative
healing that could tend to negate some or all of the
weakening effects of surgery. These silk sutures are B wire diameter
usually inexpensive and have large needles which (before fabrication)
must be inserted into episclera with care, but which C
easily pass through the lids when necessary. H I
D
Needles
The anatomy of an ophthalmic needle is E F
shown in Figure 6. The relationship of needle size
and configuration and anatomy of the sclera is dis- G
cussed in Chapter 2. The choice of a needle for stra-
bismus surgery is based in part on surgeon's prefer- Figure 6
ence, availability of needle and suture combinations, A Various dimensions F Keystone - down cutting
and the unique requirements of a given procedure. B Round tip
For recession and resection, a spatula needle with a C Cutting G Hexagon - neutral tip
D Reverse cutting H Parallel
wire diameter of .203 mm is suitable. The surgeon E Keystone - up cutting tip I Cobra head
should be aware that the configuration of the tip of the
needle will influence the path of the needle while
passing through sclera. If the tip bevels downward,
the needle will tend to go deeper into and even
through sclera. A neutral tip will go where the needle
is directed and a tip beveled upward will have a ten-
dency to cut out and therefore must be continually
directed slightly downward to stay in sclera. Any of
these needle types is acceptable, but for safety, it is
necessary for the surgeon to be aware of the needle
configuration. If there is any question, the surgeon
should examine the needle tip with magnification
before the surgery is begun.

Needle placement in sclera

How deeply should the needle (suture) be
placed in sclera and how long should the suture track
be placed in sclera to ensure secure attachment of the Figure 7

66
 Parasurgical procedures and preparation

two long shallow bites do not provide any more secu- about the safety of using succinylcholine, it should
rity for muscle attachment to the globe once the not be used. As a substitute, pancuronium, or other
sutures are tied, but this technique does allow the nondepolarizing muscle relaxant, may be used.
muscle to remain securely at the point of intended In cases scheduled for general anesthesia
recession against the sclera even before the suture is where a family history of malignant hyperthermia in
tied because of friction in the suture tunnel. When uncovered, pre-treatment with dantrolene is required.
using the crossed swords technique, the first needle Study of phenylketopyruvate serum levels can be use-
is left in place until the second needle is inserted into ful in predicting susceptibility to malignant hyper-
sclera. Each needle is then advanced in turn until
both needles just clear sclera. After this, the suture on
each needle is advanced in turn. This maneuver is
carried out to avoid having the sharp side of the spat-
ula needle cut the other end of the suture being
advanced. A needle with a down directed tip makes
this maneuver easier to perform, but extra care is
required to prevent the needle from going too deep.
Perforation of sclera by a needle placed too
deeply probably occurs more frequently than is sus-
pected. Morris, et. al. in a prospective study found
one perforation in 67 patients, 100 eyes. This is like-
ly to be a reliable statistic (1%) even for experienced
surgeons. A too deep suture rarely causes a prob-
lem. Moreover, it is not usual practice for a surgeon
to dilate the pupil and look at the retina over the site
of muscle reattachment, meaning that most of these
occurrences probably go undiscovered and unreport-
ed. This may be for the best since overzealous Figure 8
attempts at treating these mostly innocuous retinal The crossed swords technique of Parks.
perforations has resulted in serious complications
including loss of the eye (Figure 9).

Anesthesia for strabismus

surgery
The choice of anesthesia (general, dissociative,
local, or topical) for strabismus surgery is influenced
by age of the patient, the wishes of the patient, the
requirements of the patients strabismus condition,
and finally by the experience or preference of the sur-
geon. The popularity of adjustable sutures, often
adjusted during surgery, has made the use of topical
and local anesthesia more common in recent years. A
few surgeons use general anesthesia in cases with
adjustable suture, reinstituting a brief general anes-
thetic for adjustment. If general anesthesia is the
choice, the anesthesiologist decides on the specific
agent or agents to be used, as well as the amount and
type of premedication. For patients using echothio-
phate iodide (phospholine iodide), the use of suc-
cinylcholine is definitely contraindicated. A patient
who has been treated with echothiophate iodide can
retain low blood levels of pseudocholinesterase for
weeks or even months after discontinuing the medi-
cine. In the presence of low blood pseudo-
cholinesterase levels, succinylcholine causes pro- Figure 9
Fine ophthalmic needles should be advanced along their
longed apnea that may require the patient to be assist- curve and not forced through tissue or used excessively to
ed by a respirator for several hours after surgery to lift tissue. Failure to observe this can result in a bent nee-
ensure proper breathing. If there is any question dle.

67
Chapter 3
thermia in a patient with a questionable family histo-
ry. When a patient with malignant hyperthermia or a
suspicion of this condition is to be given general
anesthesia, in addition to pre-treating the patient with
dantrolene, the anesthesia machine is flushed with
oxygen for 24 hours to rid the machine of all traces of
halothane. The preferred general anesthetic regimen
for patients with malignant hyperthermia is fentanyl,
nitrous oxide, and a muscle relaxant.
General anesthesia
Most immature patients (younger than mid-
teens) require general anesthesia for extraocular mus-
cle surgery. This anesthetic is administered through
an endotracheal tube or with a laryngeal cuff with the
anesthetic agent(s) and oxygen delivered directly to
the lungs. The agent most commonly used for gener-
al anesthesia is halothane (Fluothane). Other agents
such as fluroxene (Fluoromar); cyclopropane;
methoxyflurane (Penthrane); and a combination of
nitrous oxide, barbiturate, and narcotic may be used
but have no advantage over halothane. Thiopental
sodium (Pentothal) given intravenously or nitrous
oxide given by mask is the most common agent used
for induction before intubation. Versed 0.5 mg/kg
may be used as a pre-anesthetic calming drug in
excitable younger children between ages 1 and 7
years. It is given in a grape-flavored liquid in the out-
patient holding area. Open-drop ether, which had
been used for induction of anesthesia for infants, is
now of historic interest. Ether has a wide margin of
safety, but postoperative vomiting is frequent.
Preoperative medication for infants should be
limited to a moderate dose of atropine given intra-
muscularly. The dose for preoperative atropine is
0.01 mg/kg, with a minimum of 0.1 mg and a maxi-
mum of 0.4 mg. Older children and adults having
general anesthesia may require narcotics and, in some
cases, barbiturates in addition to atropine. The doses
should be selected on an individual basis.
Preoperative narcotic is associated with a high-
er incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
With the advent of outpatient surgery, pre-medication
is omitted except in cases where Versed is used.
Preoperative medication with droperidol 0.075 mg/kg
has been said to reduce postoperative vomiting from
60% to 16% when given intravenously before muscle
manipulation. This medication does not prolong the
patient's recovery to full alertness or the time in the
recovery room. Outpatient strabismus surgery can be
performed safely with only versed for pre-medication
and without other prophylaxis for postoperative vom-
iting. Even with this minimalist routine, postopera-
tive vomiting occurs rarely.
A new agent for general anesthesia is Propofal
(Diprivan), a drug which is administered intravenous-
ly. Propofal has the advantage of reducing the inci-
dence of nausea and vomiting after eye muscle sur-
68
gery. There is also less anesthesia hangover and less
postoperative analgesic agent may be needed. The
induction dose is 2 to 3 mg/kg. Anesthesia is main-
tained with an IV drip titrated at approximately 200
mg/kg/min. Low doses of nitrous oxide or halothane
may be used to supplement anesthesia.
When an adjustable suture is used and adjust-
ment is contemplated for the afternoon of surgery,
preoperative and postoperative narcotics should be
withheld, used in a limited fashion, or reversed after
the operative procedure using naloxone (Narcan).
With outpatient surgery now routine and nar-
cotics and barbiturates withheld from children preop-
eratively, a dramatic reduction in postoperative vom-
iting is noted. The advantage of being able to use a
slightly reduced amount of general anesthetic agent
after pre-medication with narcotics is outweighed by
the fact that after a short procedure, a heavily pre-
medicated patient may exhibit prolonged drowsiness,
not from the general anesthetic agent, but from the
preoperative medications.
General anesthesia allows the surgeon more
freedom in manipulation of the muscles and accurate
interpretation of passive ductions. Therefore, many
surgeons prefer general anesthesia for all strabismus
surgery. As with general anesthesia used for any type
of surgery, patients undergoing strabismus surgery
should be monitored constantly by the anesthesiolo-
gist in order to diagnose immediately emergencies
such as arrhythmia, hypoxia, bradycardia associated
with the oculocardiac reflex, or cardiac arrest.
When bradycardia from the oculocardiac reflex
occurs, all tension on the muscle should stop immedi-
ately, and the muscle should not be placed under ten-
sion again until the heart rate returns to normal. It is
not necessary to remove the muscle hook from behind
the muscle's insertion, but the surgeon must relax all
pressure on the muscle insertion. If repeated muscle
stimulation causes further bradycardia, the patient
should be given intravenous atropine by the anesthe-
siologist, the dose is usually the maximum 0.4 mg
intravenously. The use of atropine in adults to block
the oculocardiac reflex increases the likelihood of
cardiac arrhythmia such as bigeminy. Bradycardia
persisting after atropine has been injected intra-
venously may be treated with a retrobulbar injection
of 1 to 3 ml of 1% or 2% lidocaine (Xylocaine).
Bradycardia from the oculocardiac reflex rarely dis-
rupts the normal conduct of surgery. If it does occur,
it requires just a few seconds pause. With real-time,
accurate monitoring, including audible pulse record-
ing, the surgeon should be able to recognize the earli-
est signs of bradycardia and reduce the pull on the
muscle. This usually leads to restoration of the
patient's normal heart rate in just a few seconds.
Cardiac arrest is treated with ventilation and closed
chest heart massage both begun immediately. If car-
diac contraction does not begin after several minutes,
 Parasurgical procedures and preparation

3 to 5 ml of intravenous epinephrine 1:10,000 may be ization of the needle before injection. Ketamine anes-
given. I have no personal experience with this or thesia is used widely, usually with other appropriate
other more radical measures. agents, in developing countries for strabismus surgery
because of its wide margin of safety.
Dissociative anesthesia Anesthesiologists skilled in the use of ketamine can
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has been administer this drug effectively and apparently with
used for a variety of ophthalmic procedures, includ- few of the drawbacks listed here.
ing strabismus surgery. With ketamine, the patient
has no cognizance of pain because the drug causes a
Local anesthesia
dissociation between the painful stimulus and any Perilimbal anesthesia
awareness of the stimulus. Involuntary movements of
Either 1% or 2% lidocaine (Xylocaine), with or
all parts of the body, including the eyes, do persist
without epinephrine 1:100,000 added, provides satis-
with ketamine, and tonus of the extraocular muscles
factory local anesthesia for strabismus surgery in
remains. Therefore, the eye must be stabilized with
cooperative teenagers and adults (Figure 10). For
traction sutures and the surgeon must be constantly on
perilimbal anesthesia, between 1 and 3 ml of the
the alert for unexpected ocular movements. The per-
agent is injected into the subconjunctival space for
sistent muscle tonus also makes interpretation of pas-
360 degrees around the limbus. This is followed by 1
sive ductions less reliable. Patients under ketamine
minute of gentle massage with the fingers through a
anesthesia also secrete saliva freely, which requires
4" x 4" gauze pad over the closed eye. Surgery may
suction during the procedure. The dose of ketamine
then begin. A variety of other techniques for anes-
is titrated to effect and is often given with other anal-
thetizing the anterior part of the eye to allow safe and
gesics or sedatives.
effective eye muscle surgery including peribulbar
In older children and adults, the combination of
anesthesia can be employed. In all cases where local
prolonged drowsiness, disturbing dreams, and hallu-
or topical anesthesia is used, oxygen is provided con-
cinations is a significant drawback to using ketamine.
tinuously via nasal catheter under the drapes. With
The disadvantages of ketamine may outweigh its
oxygen used this way, care should be exercised to
advantages for strabismus surgery. However, keta-
keep open flame or red hot thermal cautery away
mine's unique properties make it an ideal agent when
from the flowing oxygen to avoid fire. In addition, an
anesthesia is required for injection of Botox in infants
intravenous line is kept open with a normal saline
and children young enough to avoid the side effects.
drip and constant ECG monitoring is maintained. An
Persistent firing of the motor end-plates, which can be
anesthesiologist may be in attendance and may use
detected by electromyography, allows accurate local-
intravenous analgesics as needed.

A B

C D

Figure 10
A A small subconjunctival bleb is raised C Up to 3 ml of anesthesia has been injected
B Injecting into the previous bleb, the limbus is ringed D Gentle massage is carried out

69
Chapter 3
Retrobulbar anesthesia
For retrobulbar anesthesia, 2 or 3 ml of 1% or
2% lidocaine (Xylocaine), with or without epineph-
rine 1:100,000 added, is injected into the retrobulbar
space (into the muscle cone). A 38 mm, 25-gauge
needle on a 5 ml syringe is used. The needle tip
enters through the skin just inside the orbital rim at
the junction of the inferior and lateral orbital rim.
The needle is directed slightly medially and superior-
ly for nearly the full length of the needle. The agent
is then injected slowly. Some surgeons inject slowly
while the needle is entering to push tissue away from
the tip. One may also retract the plunger to ensure
there is no backflow of blood before injecting. This
avoids inadvertently delivering the agent intravenous-
ly. In the rare event of a retrobulbar hemorrhage, sur-
gery is postponed.
After approximately 5 minutes, surgery may
begin. A successful retrobulbar injection gives satis-
factory anesthesia to the anterior globe and extraocu-
lar muscles. However, the patient may experience
pain deep in the orbit, presumably in the area of the
ligament of Zinn, when muscles are tugged on, par-
ticularly during a resection procedure. Patients also
may experience pain when the insertion of a muscle
is manipulated. Adjustment of a suture can be done
several hours after retrobulbar anesthesia. Proper
timing for adjustment can be determined by observ-
ing full rotations of the eye.
The awake patient
The surgeon must exercise greater care when
performing surgery under any type of local anesthesia
with the patient awake. Care must be taken to ensure
gentle manipulation and to exert very little traction on
the extraocular muscles because of the deep orbital
pain this maneuver produces at the origin of the mus-
cles. Topical tetracaine or xylocaine 5% anesthetic
drops may be placed on the cornea and on the opera-
tive site both before initial injection of lidocaine and
repeatedly during the procedure. Anesthetic agent
may be injected before the patient's face is prepared
with the surgical scrub and before the surgeon scrubs.
This interval allows sufficient time for the anesthetic
agent to take effect. If needed, additional lidocaine is
injected around the operative site during the proce-
dure. The conjunctival anesthesia usually wears off
sooner than that around the muscle insertion. During
the procedure, the patients may also receive the syn-
thetic narcotic agents, fentanyl citrate 2 mg/kg, and
diazepam 0.25 mg/kg. The smallest possible amounts
of these agents are given to ensure patient alertness,
especially when the patient is asked to cooperate dur-
ing adjustment of alignment on the table.
70
Topical anesthesia
Surgery may be performed on the extraocular
muscles of a cooperative adult using only tetracaine
or cocaine hydrochloride 4% solution instilled in the
cul-de-sacs and on the cornea before surgery and
repeatedly on the operative site during surgery.
Several drops of lidocaine (Xylocaine) 5% may also
be used topically. Because this technique demands an
extremely cooperative patient combined with a sur-
geon who uses delicate technique, it has limited appli-
cation. With use of topical or local anesthesia, it is
possible to employ cover testing and/or diplopia test-
ing during surgery with the patient either lying on the
table or sitting up. Results for surgery may be
enhanced by this on the table testing which allows
adjustments in the amount of surgery at a time when
the surgeon is free to titrate the amount of surgery. It
is not necessary to block the lids for successful sur-
gery.
The use of local and topical anesthesia
demands cooperation by the patient and intense con-
centration by the surgeon. Local anesthesia can be
used for both first surgeries and repeat surgeries. In
some cases, the opportunity to adjust surgery on the
table and the fact that the patient avoids the postoper-
ative discomfort frequently associated with general
endotracheal anesthesia makes the extra effort using
local and topical anesthesia worthwhile.
Preparation of the patient in
the operating room
The patient should be positioned with the head
at the end of the operating table. The surrounding
area should be free of unnecessary equipment. If gen-
eral anesthesia is used, connectors should be fash-
ioned so that tubes will not interfere with the surgical
field. Although the endotracheal tube is well
anchored, the surgeon should always warn the anes-
thesiologist before moving the patients head. After
anesthesia has been obtained, the area around both
eyes should be washed thoroughly. The skin in the
area outlined in Figure 11 is washed using Betadine
soap or equivalent and water for 1 to 3 minutes fol-
lowed by a thorough rinse with sterile water. Several
drops of Betadine solution are then placed in the cul-
de-sacs. This solution is then rinsed from the eyes
with sterile normal saline. An iodine preparation may
then be painted over the area that has been scrubbed
and the skin is blotted dry. It is not necessary to trim
the eyelashes. Cloth drapes or self-adhering drapes
are placed over the nose, forehead, and sides of the
head. After this draping is completed, forced duc-
tions are carried out in all directions in both eyes. A
self-adhering monocular plastic drape or equivalent is
then placed over the lids with the adhesive applied to
the lids and periocular area (Figure 11).
 Parasurgical procedures and preparation

A B

C D

Figure 11
A Area of skin washed D Concave head support
B Endotracheal tube firmly anchored E Fully draped operative site using disposable drapes
C Cloth drapes (cloth may also be used).

71
Chapter 3
Figure 12
1) Patient (the most important part); 2) scrub nurse; 3) anesthesiologist; 4) surgeon; 5) assistant; 6) Mayo instrument
stand; 7) back table for drapes, solutions, etc.; 8) viewable monitors; 9) anesthesia machine
Layout of the operating room
and anesthetic apparatus
The layout of the operating room may include
the features illustrated in Figure 12. This is a scheme
which is common and convenient.
Patient monitoring
In the ideal setting, after endotracheal anesthe-
sia has been established, the patient monitor and safe-
ty devices are connected (Figure 13). The array is as
follows: (1) endotracheal tube, (2) mass spectrograph
lead, (3) esophageal stethoscope, (4) nasal tempera-
ture probe, (5) ECG leads, (6) heating blanket, (7)
Doppler arterial flow sensor, (8) sphygmomanometer
cuff, and (9) indwelling intravenous catheter. The
monitoring display unit situated at the foot of the
operating table in clear view of both the surgeon and
the anesthesiologist is ideal but not a requirement.
This setup when available provides clearly presented,
72
real-time information available to surgeon, anesthesi-
ologist, and nurses. Information that is available
includes ECG configuration, pulse, temperature, and
oxygen and carbon dioxide saturation levels. For
more detailed study, the ECG paper strip may be run.
The pulse rate is displayed on a digital readout. The
temperature is constantly displayed on the digital
screen. One of the most effective monitoring capa-
bilities of modern anesthetic machines is the constant
monitoring of expired carbon dioxide seen on the
anesthesia console (Figure 14).
Many surgeons are more comfortable seated
when operating (Figure 15). A variety of stools are
available. It is important that the surgeon choose one
that he or she can adjust to prevent unnecessary inter-
ruption of surgery required while an assistant adjusts
the surgeons stool.

Figure 13
1 endotracheal tube
2 mass spectrograph lead
3 esophageal stethoscope
4 nasal temperature probe
5 ECG leads
Figure 14
Console of a modern anesthesia machine
Parasurgical procedures and preparation
6 heating blanket
7 Doppler arterial flow sensor
8 sphygmomanometer cuff
9 indwelling intravenous catheter.
Figure 15
Surgeons adjustable stool
73
Chapter 3

Magnification in strabismus Wearing a mask

surgery A mask of paper or cloth should be worn by all
The use of smaller diameter suture material personnel in the operating room. It is disturbing to
and finer, sharper needles has made it preferable, if see a mask worn below the nose. This is a breach of
not necessary, to use magnification for strabismus technique seen all too often in some operating rooms
surgery. Telescopes mounted on glasses frames or on of the world. This lapse of technique should not be
a headband are extremely useful. The magnification tolerated. It defeats the purpose of the surgical mask.
may vary from 2.5X to 4.5X. The limiting factors in
magnification include (1) surgeon's comfort, (2) re-
stricted field size, (3) limited depth of focus, and
(4) need for increased illumination.
For comfort, a properly fitted pair of spectacle
frames with a wide elastic band behind the head con-
necting the temple pieces of the glasses frame works
well (Figure 16). The surgeon soon becomes accus-
tomed to the various restrictive factors associated
with use of a magnifying device while enjoying the
improved view. If the surgeon has presbyopia, he or Figure 16 Operation telescopic loupes
she may choose to place a suitable add low in the
spectacle lens to obtain a wider useful field of vision
when looking at near, but away from the operative
field and around the loupes (Figure 17).

How much magnification is best?

Field size decreases with increase in magnifi-
cation. The trade-off should be arrived at by the sur-
geon through a trial and error method. Working dis-
tance is unique to the particular magnifying instru-
ment used. This should be selected according to the
surgeon's preference, but the working distance should
not be too close. Depth of focus also should be deter- Figure 17
mined by trial and error. Illumination may be Zeiss telescopic loupes mounted on a sturdy spectacle
frame with an elastic head strap
improved by using an overhead operating room light
that is properly adjusted. Some surgeons prefer addi-
tional light supplied by a head-mounted fiberoptic
light (Figure 18).
A few surgeons use a floor-mounted or ceiling-
mounted microscope for strabismus surgery. This
technique provides excellent magnification and illu-
mination; however, with this technique, the surgeon is
even more severely restricted. Those surgeons who
use a microscope for strabismus surgery are strong
advocates for this technique. I suspect that once a
surgeon has used the operation microscope and is rec-
onciled to the trade off, it is difficult to go back to
lower magnification. The optics and illumination of
the operation microscope can be used to obtain video-
tapes of strabismus procedures. During these cases,
the surgeon may elect to use a loupe for magnification
while operating around the microscope. Some sur-
geons who use the technique of anterior ciliary vessel
salvage while recessing or resecting an extraocular
muscle have recommended use of a microscope. Figure 18
A fiber optic head-mounted spot light pro-
vides superior illumination especially when
working in a deep, narrow cavity.

74

Outpatient surgery: the day of
surgery
A scheme for outpatient surgery begins with
the patient arriving and checking in at the outpatient
surgery unit. For 8:00 AM surgery, arrival time is
between 6:30 and 6:45 AM. The patient may go to
the laboratory, if a hemoglobin-hematocrit is to be
obtained. If done in advance of the day of surgery,
laboratory results usually remain valid for 30 days in
an otherwise healthy patient. Depending on the age
and health of the patient, the anesthesiologist may
choose to waive the hemoglobin determination. The
patient returns to a holding area where the surgeon
verifies the ocular motility findings, reviews the sur-
gical plan, obtains operative consent, obtains a perti-
nent medical history, and performs a brief physical
Figure 19
1 Check in
2 Laboratory, if needed
3 Physical examination/consent holding area
4 Operating room
5 Recovery room (patient could be discharged from recov-
ery room)
Parasurgical procedures and preparation
examination. The anesthesiologist also obtains a his-
tory, performs a physical examination, and obtains
consent for the anesthesia. Pre-medication with
Versed may be given in selected children at this time.
The patient is taken to the operating room where the
surgery is carried out. After surgery the patient is
taken to the recovery room and remains there until
fully reactive. This takes 20 to 40 minutes or longer.
The intravenous line is usually discontinued before
the patient leaves the recovery room. The patient
returns to the outpatient area holding room. The
patient leaves the outpatient area (for an 8:00 AM
case, approximately 2:00 PM) (Figure 19).
6 Postoperative holding area (could be same room as pre-
operative holding)
7 Discharge
75
Chapter 3
Postoperative care of the
patient
A patch may be used postoperatively over one
eye, but never over both eyes. Any questionable ben-
efit resulting from reduced ocular motility when bilat-
eral patches are used is far outweighed by the emo-
tional trauma this practice causes. If both eyes have
been operated on with a single muscle treated in each
eye, no patch is used. If a recession-resection has
been performed on one eye, a patch may be placed on
the operated eye for 24 hours and then removed. If
three or more muscles are involved and both eyes
have been operated on, the eye with greater reaction
may be patched for 24 hours only. A patch for at least
one eye is definitely indicated when the cornea has
been abraded during the course of surgery. In addi-
tion to using the patch in cases of corneal
drying/abrasion, homatropine 5% or other longer act-
ing cycloplegic drops are placed in the cul-de-sac and
sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone combination
or equivalent drops are used. Ointment is avoided.
As with patching, the use of drops or ointments
postoperatively varies from surgeon to surgeon.
Some prefer none, whereas others use antibiotic drops
or ointment, and still others use antibiotics and
steroids in combination. An ointment with sodium
sulfacetamide and prednisolone combined, once or
twice a day for 5 to 10 days is a safe choice. Although
rare, infection after eye muscle surgery does occur
and the morbidity from use of antibiotics and steroids
is extremely low. Patients also tend to be more com-
fortable with drops.
Patients, parents, or other family members are
contacted immediately after surgery and a report is
given on the patient's response to surgery. This is
done preferably in person or by phone. Within the
first 1 or 2 hours after surgery, the patient's ocular
motility is checked in the holding area. Patients are
discharged routinely 2 to 4 hours after surgery. The
time between the end of surgery and discharge from
the outpatient postoperative holding area varies from
76
patient to patient, according to the type of anesthesia,
and depends entirely on the effects of anesthesia.
When local or topical anesthesia is used in adults,
they frequently leave the area in an hour or less.
When a general anesthesia is given, children are
required to stay for a minimum of 1 to 3 hours before
the anesthesiologist discharges them. Before patients
who have had general anesthesia are discharged, it is
prudent to determine that they can retain clear liquids
in small amounts.
Patients are seen 1 week and again 8 weeks
postoperatively. At the 8-week visit, the results of
surgery are usually apparent. In cases where early
postoperative treatment such as prisms, patching, or
other techniques are necessary, the postoperative rou-
tine is individualized according to the patient's needs.
Specific postoperative management for individual
cases is discussed in later chapters.
Less than 1 in 50 patients scheduled for outpa-
tient surgery has an unplanned overnight admission,
usually for one of two causes: persistent vomiting or
breathing difficulties. The incidence of postoperative
vomiting has decreased dramatically in both severity
and frequency with the advent of outpatient surgery.
The most obvious variable is the fact that outpatients
are not receiving preoperative narcotics. Careful pre-
operative evaluation by both the surgeon and the
anesthesiologist identifies most infants and children
who have the potential for postoperative breathing
difficulties because of upper respiratory infection.
When a potential problem is identified during the pre-
operative work up, surgery is cancelled or the anes-
thesiologist takes special precautions. However, the
best precaution is to tell parents if they have any ques-
tion about their child's health to call the outpatient
facility the day before scheduled outpatient surgery.
A proper decision made at this time could save an
unnecessary trip to the hospital.
 Section 2

Chapter 4: Work up of the strabismus patient

Chapter 5: Diagnostic categories and classification of

strabismus

Work up of the
strabismus patient
Design of the surgical
procedure
Certain principles have proven useful to me in
the surgical management of strabismus over the past
forty plus years. They will be presented here in the
form of guidelines. These guidelines are at times spe-
cific and at other times general, but in all cases the
intent is to present enlightened opinions based on
what I have learned, rather than dogma stubbornly
held to because it was what I was taught. These
guidelines, when properly applied to a specific case,
are intended to lead to the design of a surgical proce-
dure that will be customized to the individual and his
or her strabismus problem. This plan for surgery
must be arrived at dynamically with three basic com-
ponents contributing to the ultimate surgical design.
These components should be determined accurately,
understood thoroughly, and combined logically.
When these logical but simple steps are carried out,
the answers to the questions of design - which muscle
and how much surgery - should be clear or at least
clearer to the surgeon. After a plan has been estab-
lished two additional steps in the surgical manage-
ment of strabismus, surgical technique and follow-up,
will be covered.
Step 1
The ophthalmologist first obtains and records a
pertinent history and compiles is an accurate, com-
plete set of measurements that include an accurate
cycloplegic refraction. This latter, often underrated,
component of the strabismus evaluation is especially
important if any hyperopia is present in a patient with
an esodeviation. If any question remains regarding
the accuracy of the cycloplegic refraction, it should
be repeated until accuracy is assured. Objective,
automated refraction is a useful examination tech-
4
nique. It provides rapid measurement of the refrac-
tive error after cycloplegia with values similar to
retinoscopy carried out by an experienced examiner.
However, the surgeon in training should learn the
technique of accurate, on axis retinoscopy. This is the
only technique for refraction suitable for the infant,
toddler, and preschool child.
Step 2
Second, the surgeon should be aware of surgical
options available for a given condition. The surgeon
should have the ability to carry out these procedures
with skill and confidence. The importance of tech-
nique in performing strabismus surgery cannot be
overemphasized. The surgeon also must know
approximately how much change in ocular alignment
will be produced with each procedure in his or her
own hands.
Step 3
The third step in the design of the surgical proce-
dure joins steps 1 and 2 and is the art of strabismus
surgery. This aspect of the surgical design deals with
how various types of patients and various categories
of deviations respond to given amounts of surgery.
The anticipated response in a given patient, therefore,
modifies the results to be expected from a particular
procedure. In addition, the most desirable end result
that could be obtained from surgery such as slight
overcorrection or undercorrection can be determined,
but only after careful evaluation has led to a thorough
understanding of the patient. For example, a patient
with a large deviation will obtain more correction per
millimeter of surgery than a patient who has a small-
er deviation; esotropic patients with amblyopia may
79
Chapter 4
be overcorrected with the same amount of surgery
that would produce an undercorrection in a nonam-
blyopic patient; patients with fusion potential should
be slightly overcorrected; patients without fusion
potential should be undercorrected, and so on. Adults
without fusion potential always look better with a
small-angle exotropia compared to a small-angle
esotropia.* This extra bit of insight as to how a par-
ticular type of patient will respond to a given amount
of surgery helps the surgeon combine each patient's
needs with the type and amount of surgery required.
In this way the likelihood of a good result is maxi-
mized.
It should be understood that all appropriate non-
surgical treatment that would eliminate the need for
surgery or enhance the results obtained from surgery
including treatment for amblyopia should be carried
out. These include such measures as the correction of
hyperopia in esotropic patients suspected of having
an accommodative element to their esotropia and,
when suitable, the use of prisms, anticholinesterase
drops, and appropriate orthoptic exercises. Botox
treatment must be considered in selected patients, but
in my experience this treatment is indicated in only
3% of cases. A detailed discussion of nonsurgical
treatment of strabismus will not be provided in this
book.
The following specific nonsurgical procedures
are worth mentioning briefly:
1. Anticholinesterase drugs are used for treat-
ment of refractive-accommodative esotropia.
Echothiophate iodide (Phospholine) 0.125%
or 0.06% used as often as one drop once each
day in each eye or as little as once per week
in each eye can reduce or, in some cases,
eliminate esotropia. I use this treatment pri-
marily as a diagnostic tool. With moderate-
to small-angle residual deviations in a patient
with fusion potential, anticholinesterase treat-
ment can be used therapeutically but never
for an indefinite period. The prolonged use
of echothiophate iodide can produce iris
cysts. The concurrent use of phenylephrine
hydrochloride (Neo-Synephrine) 2.5% drops
once each day reduces the likelihood that
these cysts will develop. When we use anti-
cholinesterase treatment it is usually for a
specific, predetermined period of weeks or
months. A common use for anti-
cholinesterase treatment is in lieu of glasses
when a child removes them for swimming or
while engaged in similar activities. Another
effective anticholinesterase is disopropyl flu-
orophosphate (Fluropryl) which is supplied in
ointment form.
* Look at large paintings of faces on an advertising billboard. The eyes, in order to look aligned, are painted with a large positive angle
kappa making them slightly exotropic. You will also see this in post-Renaissance portraits. Earlier artwork depicts subjects who appear
esotropic or with a reduced pupillary distance.
80
2. We frequently use Fresnel prisms in our clin-
ic for patients who have fusion potential and
are bothered by diplopia from small-angle
strabismus which may be changing. These
prisms reduce visual acuity proportional to
their strength at a rate of approximately 1 line
per 10 prism diopters. In addition, they can
yellow with age, particularly when worn by a
patient who smokes. In spite of these draw-
backs, Fresnel prisms continue to be used
effectively to relieve diplopia, particularly in
the patients with residual strabismus and
especially in the early postoperative period.
They can also be placed obliquely to treat
small angle horizontal and vertical strabismus
that coexist. Permanent prisms are used in
small-angle residual comitant strabismus
with diplopia in patients when prism therapy
is preferred to (repeat) surgery. When cared
for properly Fresnel prisms can be worn
effectively for long periods of time.
3. In some cases of accommodative spasm,
chronic atropinization is used to eliminate
accommodative convergence and is com-
bined with bifocals to treat the near blur. This
temporary treatment is designed to break the
cycle of accommodative spasm.
4. Occluding contact lenses or high plus contact
lenses can be used in one eye in cases of
intractable diplopia.
5. A simple patch may be the only way to
relieve a patients symptoms from diplopia.
Acquired third nerve palsy is the most com-
mon and troublesome cause of intractable
diplopia for adults in our practice.
6. Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) for the treatment
of diplopia from ocular myasthenia gravis is
commonly mentioned. However, we have
not found that ocular myasthenia responds
well to anticholinesterase treatment.
Prednisone by mouth in doses from 10 to 50
mg or more every other day in pulsed therapy
during episodes of diplopia may be the only
way to maintain comfortable single binocular
vision in a patient with diplopia from the
effects of ocular myasthenia.
7. Therapeutic orthoptics include measures such
as diplopia awareness, fusional range
enhancement, near point of convergence
training, and supervision of amblyopia treat-
ment. The last two are the most commonly
used of the orthoptic treatment modalities.
8. Therapeutic occlusion for amblyopia is the
most commonly used nonsurgical adjunctive
strabismus therapy. Atropine drops are also

used in one eye to treat amblyopia by creating
a blur.
9. The prism adaptation test is a nonsurgical
technique that helps to predict the response to
surgery in a patient with residual esotropia.
To do this test, fully correcting Fresnel prisms
are placed on the glasses of a strabismus
patient with residual refractive esotropia who
is also wearing full hyperopic correction.
Two responses are possible. In one the angle
remains fully corrected with prisms after pro-
longed wear and the patient either does or
does not demonstrate fusion with the Worth
four-light. These patients have surgery for
the angle measured which is equal to the
amount of prism used. In the other response,
the angle of deviation increases so that it
measures essentially the same or close to it
while wearing the prisms compared to before
the prisms were placed after an adaptation
period of hours to weeks. This response is
termed eating up the prism or anomalous
motor response. In this case, additional
prisms are placed until there is no more
response or when up to 60 are placed.
Surgery in this case is performed for the max-
imum angle found; that is, prism plus meas-
ured angle. In cases where the prisms correct
the deviation fully in the distance but an
esodeviation remains at near, surgery is done
for the near deviation. This technique was
subjected to a national collaborative study
which demonstrated a small but statistically
significant improvement in results using
information from the prism adaptation test.
Step 4
The fourth factor in the treatment of strabismus
is the surgical technique itself. The care and skill
with which surgery should be performed will be
referred to throughout the pages of this book.
Step 5
The fifth component of the surgery experience is
follow-up. The patient's response to surgery should
be monitored carefully in the postoperative period.
Patching therapy for amblyopia may need to be initi-
ated or resumed, anticholinesterase drops may be
required, or prisms may be needed. In addition, com-
plications of surgery are always a possibility and, if
present, should be diagnosed and treated promptly. If
there is a complication associated with the surgery or
if the result is less than expected - disappointing, you,
the surgeon should acknowledge this. Tell the patient
that you recognize this and be positive, but have
empathy. Let the patient know that you will see the
problem through to either remedy the problem or
Workup of the strabismus patient
obtain help if necessary. This reassurance alone will
allay the patients concerns in most cases. It has been
our practice to include 6 months to 1 year of follow-
up in the surgical fee. This makes follow up easier on
the patient and the surgeon! Based on each patient's
situation, we attempt to schedule follow-up without
causing financial or other hardship and we individu-
alize follow-up according to special patient needs.
A successfully treated congenital esotropia
patient who also develops postoperative amblyopia
requires careful follow up to monitor the amblyopia
and supervise patching. If the eyes are successfully
straightened, the marker for amblyopia - strabismus -
is gone, making it difficult for the family to detect
persistence or recurrence of amblyopia. It is the sur-
geon's responsibility to carry out the visual examina-
tion and supervise the appropriate amblyopia treat-
ment in these cases. The incidence of amblyopia in
untreated congenital esotropia is 6% according to
Calcutt and Murray compared to between 30% and
50% in large series of operated congenital esotropia
patients. These data underscore the strabismus sur-
geon's responsibility for close postoperative follow-
up of visual acuity.
Step 1: Patient evaluation
The initial workup may be recorded on a
preprinted sheet similar to the one illustrated in
Figure 1. The following questions should be
answered and the indicated tests performed and
recorded during the process of patient evaluation
before strabismus surgery.
History:
Why was the patient brought in (why did he or
she come in) for an examination?
What have the parents (what has the patient)
noted about the eyes? ET, XT, hyper, con-
stant, intermittent, closes one eye, tilts head,
elevates or depresses the chin, eyes jiggle,
etc.?
Age of onset - when did the problem begin?
Current age
Birth weight (premature?)
Growth and development
o Present weight
o Sat up when?*
o Walked when?*
* of interest primarily in infants and young
children
Any allergies, what medications are currently
being used
Significant illness and surgical history
81
Chapter 4

Figure 1
A preprinted examination data collection sheet is a useful adjunct to the examination, particularly for the patients first visit.
This form has been effective in our clinic, but in most instances a practitioner will design a form to meet his or her unique
needs. The importance of showing this form is that it includes most of the tests required for a complete examination.
Results of other tests such as passive duction evaluation, tensilon test, exophthalmometry, etc. may be noted on\ this form
in the appropriate area with explanatory labels.

82
 Workup of the strabismus patient

Subjective complaints: decimal system this is recorded as 1.0. The letter E

Diplopia (binocular - monocular) with its 5 combined spaces and bars is an ideal target.
Oscillopsia If the smallest object an individual can see at 20 feet
Asthenopia subtends 5 minutes of arc at 200 feet the object is 10
Getting worse or better times larger. This is calculated as 20/200, 6/60, or
Cosmetic issues 0.1. Visual acuity recorded as the viewing distance
Image tilt over the distance the smallest object seen subtends 5
minutes and is recorded: 20/60, 6/18, 0.3, etc.
Occlusion: With an infant or a child too young to cooperate
Which eye for visual acuity testing, reaction to the examiner's
How long face, a light, a non-illuminated (silent) interesting or
How well compelling object, social situations, and, if poor
vision is suspected, to an optokinetic tape or drum
Orthoptics: should be observed. Notation is made describing the
Type of exercises best acuity observed; for example, appears to be (not
How long to be) visually alert to: (a note is made describing the
How well size of the smallest object seen). Strong preference
for one eye associated with objection to occlusion of
Family history: this eye usually indicates amblyopia or an organic
Strabismus - parents, siblings, others visual defect in the other eye. However, even normal
Glaucoma infants tend to object vigorously to occlusion of either
Diabetes eye. Cross fixation, or using the eyes alternately,
Other eye problems rules out amblyopia. Dim illumination is best for
Trouble with anesthesia (malignant hyper- evaluation of vision in the neonate or very young
thermia) infant. Simply turning off the overhead lights may
turn a recalcitrant newborn with closed lids into an
General health: interested patient able to fixate on the examiner's
Trauma history face.
Diabetes The preferential looking technique using Teller
Fatigability acuity cards has been used to quantify resolution acu-
Developmental delays ity in the newborn and infant. This method can be
employed to determine an objective value for visual
Special characteristics: acuity in a very young child. However, to determine
Head tilt (nodding) relative acuity in order to establish the presence of
Preferred eye preference of one eye for fixation and therefore
Variability of deviation amblyopia, simple clinical observation of fixation
Face turn preference is sufficient to detect a difference in visu-
Dancing eyes (nystagmus) al acuity of one octave in most young patients.
Facial asymmetry An E chart or a STYCAR (HOTV) chart visual
acuity test can usually be accomplished at the earliest
Prior treatment: with girls at age 3 and with boys at age 3 1/2,
Glasses although exceptions do occur. Linear testing with E's
o When prescribed or letters is valid. Testing with isolated E's gives erro-
o Prescription neously good vision results in the presence of func-
Bifocals tional amblyopia because of the absence of the
Prisms crowding phenomenon. Crowding can be achieved
resulting in accurate vision testing even with isolated
Ocular surgery: optotypes by using crowding bars. These are lines
When equal to the width of the optotype segments placed at
What was done each side and above and below the single optotype
By whom used for visual acuity testing. We use isolated E's
mainly for instruction. Vision in older children is
Visual acuity testing determined with the letter chart. In children where
Visual acuity is recorded as the smallest object a testing with the E chart cannot be accomplished, Lea
patient can see at a given distance. 20/20 vision (or symbols or other recognizable pictures can be used.
6/6 vision) means that at 20 feet (approximately 6 The Lea symbols are particularly useful to demon-
meters) a patient can see an object that subtends 5 strate a difference in visual acuity between the two
minutes of arc with components of 1 minute. In the eyes in a child too young to cooperate for other visu-

83
Chapter 4
al acuity testing. In an office or clinic setting, com-
puter generated visual acuity testing provides all of
the visual acuity testing options while at the same
time providing standardized illumination, random
display, and more. This instrumentation is useful but
expensive. Relative visual acuity is
more useful clinically than absolute acuity in an
infant suspected of having amblyopia. Recognition
acuity with Snellen optotypes (E's, the alphabet, or
symbols) is a more stringent and, therefore, more
accurate test than resolution acuity done with stripes.
For this reason, we test vision with Snellen optotypes
determining recognition acuity whenever we can
obtain cooperation from a child.
If decreased vision is found in each eye when
checked monocularly, vision should be checked
binocularly. The examiner in this case should be
looking for latent gross or micronystagmus. Fogging
with a plus lens may be used to block vision in one
eye but avoid nystagmus when determining monocu-
lar visual acuity in a patient with latent nystagmus.
Near vision should be checked with E's, isolated let-
ters or numbers, or sentence reading, depending on
age.
Visual acuity testing with neutral density filters
can differentiate functional from organic amblyopia.
Vision in an eye with functional amblyopia remains at
or near the same level when neutral filters of increas-
ing density are introduced. Vision in a normal eye or
in an eye with an organic cause for poor vision
decreases proportionally with the increased density of
the filter.
Near point of accommodation is determined in
cooperative patients by moving a card with small
print closer to the patient until the blur point is
reached. The near point of accommodation is record-
ed in diopters or centimeters.
Pupillary response to light is evaluated by mov-
ing a light from in front of one eye to in front of the
other in reduced ambient light. A Marcus Gunn affer-
ent pupillary defect indicating decreased optic nerve
function can be demonstrated with this test by noting
a dilated pupil with the light shining in the involved
eye (direct response) and constriction of the pupil
when the light shines in the fellow eye (consensual
response). With the swinging flashlight afferent
pupillary defect test, as the light moves rapidly back
and forth, both eyes dilate when the light is shining in
the abnormal eye and both eyes constrict when the
light is shining in normal eye.
Preliminary evaluation of binocular
function
Fixation
If neither eye is preferred for fixation and if the
eyes appear grossly straight, fusion may be present or
at least apparent. This can be confirmed with a stereo
84
acuity test or with the Worth four-lights. In this case,
the word fusion is recorded. In the presence of stra-
bismus, if one eye is preferred for fixation and the
other eye deviates, the notation is fixation OD or fix-
ation OS. If either eye is used for fixation with free
alternation between the eyes or cross fixation is noted
(the left eye fixes in right gaze and the right eye fixes
in left gaze) free alternation may be present and is
recorded as such. A patient may prefer one eye but
hold fixation briefly with the non-preferred eye after
the cover has been removed from the preferred eye.
Such a patient usually does not hold fixation in the
non-preferred eye through a blink. This type of acu-
ity response is recorded as prefers OD, will hold but
not take up fixation OS, will not hold fixation through
a blink, etc.
Gross, wandering fixation may be present in the
non-preferred eye and should be recorded as such.
Nystagmus, if present, is noted and characterized as
latent or manifest according to when the nystagmus
is present, and horizontal, rotary, vertical, pendular,
jerk, and the like according to the pattern of nystag-
mus. Frequency, amplitude, positions of greater
intensity, and null point are also described.
Nystagmoid movements differ from nystagmus in
that the former are non-rhythmic and usually result
from a sensory rather than a motor defect.
A peculiar type of ocular motility and head pos-
ture anomaly occurs with ocular motor apraxia. With
this condition the eyes do not move in response to
voluntary attempts at binocular vision through ver-
sions. Instead, the head moves past the point of fixa-
tion on the object of regard bringing the eyes along,
so to speak. Then when the eyes have established fix-
ation on the intended object, the head rotates back
while the eyes maintain fixation on the object. This
enigmatic supranuclear congenital condition tends to
improve with age and requires no specific treatment.
Asymmetric, often unilateral, horizontal nystag-
mus with head nodding and torticollis in an otherwise
normal child approximately 1 or 2 years old may be
spasmus nutans. This is a benign condition that also
requires no treatment. Spasmus nutans always
improves. Unless this condition can be clearly differ-
entiated from potentially serious causes of acquired
nystagmus such as chiasmal glioma or posterior fossa
tumor, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI) of the head should be per-
formed. There are widely differing points of view
regarding imaging in cases of apparent spasmus
nutans. Some pediatric ophthalmologists and neuro-
ophthalmologists advocate imaging in every case
while others, including myself, will do imaging only
in cases where an additional physical sign is present
such as fussiness, weight loss, or some other added
sign.
Vertical nystagmus with retraction is a sign of a
lesion around the chiasm. Patients with retraction
 Workup of the strabismus patient

nystagmus should be studied with appropriate imag- Sensory evaluation

ing. Any vertical nystagmus, particularly when
acquired, should be evaluated with a neurologic
workup including CT or MRI. Downbeating nystag-
mus may be associated with Arnold-Chiari malforma-
tion and upbeating nystagmus with rostral brain stem
lesions. Rapid, flutter movements are associated with
neuroblastoma. Acquired nystagmus in childhood is
always a matter of concern. It is the responsibility of
the examining physician to make a decision about
further workup and/or referral and at the very least to
maintain careful follow up, such as three month inter-
vals.
Ductions
Ductions or monocular movements are evaluated
in extreme abduction, adduction, sursumduction, and
deorsumduction. In cases where abduction is avoid-
ed such as occurs in congenital esotropia with cross
fixation where the right eye looks left and the left eye
looks right, ductions are tested with the Dolls head
test (Figure 2). This is also called the oculocephalic
reflex test. This test is done by rotating the head rap-
idly to one side while particularly observing the eye
opposite the direction of head rotation. Ductions are
graded 1+ to 4+ overaction (this is a relative value)
and -1 to -4 underaction. Forced ductions, muscle-
force generation, and saccadic speeds are determined
in patients with significant limitation of ductions.
In selected cases, certain sensory tests should be
performed after the history has been taken but before
the eyes have been dissociated with covering and
before visual acuity has been determined. Some
patients are able to fuse in casual seeing situations
that are not stressful, but lose their weak hold on
fusion after the slightest dissociation. Patients with
any type of intermittent deviation and bifoveal or
peripheral fusion should have their stereo acuity
determined initially and then should be tested with
the Worth four-dot test before resuming the more
usual flow of the examination. In addition, stereo
acuity testing is a good screening device for patients
in whom the surgeon suspects the examination will be
normal. Any patient who accurately sees nine out of
nine Titmus vectographic targets and, therefore, can
appreciate 40 seconds of arc disparity, is unlikely to
have a significant problem with their binocular mech-
anism or visual acuity.
Haploscope examination
This testing requires an instrument which stimu-
lates the eyes separately but provides images with
varying degrees of similarity and is designed to test
the ability of the eyes to work together in response to
a variety of stimuli. This testing is ordinarily done by
an orthoptist.

Head posture
Any face turn, chin elevation or depression, or
head tilt is noted and recorded. This observation is an
especially helpful clue in patients with vertical mus-
cle palsies and strabismus with limitation of ductions
where fusion is present. An anomalous head posture
is also a prominent feature of nystagmus with null
point. A bizarre head posture may be assumed to aid
in fusion or even in some cases to increase the amount
of diplopia to aid suppression. A simple diagram
showing the head posture and direction of gaze can be
useful. At this point any facial asymmetry, a common
finding in congenital superior oblique palsy, clefting,
skin tags, hypertelorism, unusual palpebral fissure
characteristics, etc. should be noted.
Screen comitance
Versions, or binocular eye movements, are eval-
uated in the extreme diagnostic positions comparing Figure 2
movements in the extremes of gaze carried out by Dolls head, oculocephalic response to elicit lateroversions
yoked muscles. Arrows and hash marks on the record (abduction), in an infant.
indicate overaction or underaction of the muscles.
Arrows outside the figure indicate overaction and
hash marks on the lines denote underaction. The lines
drawn as paired H figures represent the field of action
rather than the location of the yoked extraocular mus-
cles.

85
Chapter 4
First-degree fusion
The objective angle is determined after dissocia-
tion with the haploscope. It represents the patient's
manifest or latent strabismus (total fusion free devia-
tion). Since the two targets are presented alternately,
this is essentially the same angle found with alternate
prism and cover testing. The subjective angle is the
angle at which the patient superimposes images of
objects by manipulating the arms of the amblyoscope.
These angles are determined clinically using dissimi-
lar, incomplete, grade I, simultaneous macular per-
ception slides in the arms of the major amblyoscope
or other haploscopic devices; for example, a lion in a
cage, etc. Comparison of these two angles indicates
the status of retinal correspondence, at least at the
level of dissociation created by the amblyoscope.
When the objective and subjective angles are the
same, retinal correspondence is normal. When the
subjective angle is zero and the objective angle is
either plus (base out esodeviation) or minus (base in
exodeviation), harmonious anomalous retinal corre-
spondence is present. When the subjective angle is
less than the objective angle but other than zero, non-
harmonious anomalous retinal correspondence is
present. If no subjective angle can be determined
with grade I slides, first-degree fusion is absent.
First-degree fusion and normal retinal correspon-
dence are favorable but by no means certain indica-
tions that a functional result with fusion may be
obtained from surgery.
Second-degree fusion
Range of fusion. If a subjective angle is found
with appropriate slides, grade II fusion targets are
inserted into the arms of the major amblyoscope and
the patient's fusional amplitudes are determined.
Grade II fusion slides are similar in their overall out-
line and differ only in detail. These differences serve
as checkpoints ensuring that both eyes are seeing a
target. With grade II targets in the amblyoscope, the
arms are first shifted from the subjective angle out-
ward (exo) and then inward (eso). Fusional ampli-
tudes are an expression of the patient's ability to keep
the images as one and, therefore, fused by either
diverging or converging the eyes as the arms of the
amblyoscope are shifted outward and inward.
Fusional divergence is usually tested before fusional
convergence. A make and break point for each is
recorded; for example, -6 to -4 and +40 to +28. This
means that the patient experienced diplopia when the
arms got to 6D exodeviation but was able to refuse
the images as the arms were returned to 4D exodevi-
ation; fusion was held to 40D of convergence before
diplopia appeared and the doubled images were
*Titmus vectograph findings in seconds of arc disparity are: fly = 3000, cat = 400, rabbit = 200, monkey = 100, 1/9 = 800, 2/9 = 400, 3/9
= 200, 4/9 = 140, 5/9 = 100, 6/9 = 80, 7/9 = 60, 8/9 = 50, 9/9 = 40.
86
refused at convergence of 28D. The presence of sec-
ond-degree fusion indicates that a functional result
with fusion and fusional amplitudes should be obtain-
able with proper surgery. Such patients even when
slightly overcorrected by surgery are those best able
to obtain excellent long-term results. Fusional ampli-
tudes can be measured in free space using the princi-
ples of the haploscope but shifting images seen by the
two eyes with a prism bar containing horizontal
prisms of gradually increasing strength from 1 to
40D.
Stereo acuity. This has been called third-degree
fusion, but it should be recognized that these degrees
of fusion are not a continuum but actually test differ-
ent things: first degree - retinal correspondence; sec-
ond degree - motor fusion; third degree - sensory
fusion. The Titmus vectograph is used to test stereo
acuity. Findings with this test are recorded as fly
(3000 seconds arc disparity); A, B, C animals; and the
fraction of the nine dots that the patient can appreci-
ate. The ninth dot on the Titmus vectograph describes
40 seconds of arc disparity.*
Stereopsis is not recordable in manifest strabis-
mus of sufficient size to warrant surgery. However, it
may be quite good in intermittent deviations such as
intermittent exotropia even with large angles or in
small angle manifest strabismus with peripheral
fusion.
Stereo acuity is tested using the polarized vecto-
graph method that measures the ability to fuse later-
ally displaced objects within Panums fusional space
producing the illusion of depth. But a drawback of
this test is that careful study of these images can offer
monocular clues. Random dot vectographs have
embedded disparity not seen monocularly. This so-
called global stereopsis is said to provide more accu-
rate findings of stereo acuity. Both of these tests
require viewing with polarized glasses. Stereo acuity
can also be measured without the use of spectacles
using the Lang test or the Frisbie test. Stereo acuity
can also be measured in free space using the Howard-
Dolman apparatus which requires the examinee to
align distant objects. This test is used primarily in
clinical research settings.
Worth four-dot testing. Worth four-dot testing is
performed at variable near distances and at 20 feet.
Results of this testing are recorded as fusion, diplop-
ia, alternation, or suppression of one eye. In many
instances, patients with small-angle esotropia, central
suppression, and peripheral fusion will fuse a four-
light pattern that produces a large retinal image but
will suppress one set of lights when the retinal image
is made smaller either by reducing the size of the tar-

get or increasing the viewing distance. A gross esti-
mation of the size of the central functional scotoma
present during binocular vision in patients with stra-
bismus can be made by determining how far the four
lights must be removed from the patient and, there-
fore, how small the retinal image becomes before
suppression occurs. The size of the retinal image cre-
ated by the four lights as the lights recede from the
patient can be calculated, but the precise value is not
clinically important. The Worth four-dot test may
also be considered a gross color vision test and a test
of retinal correspondence. If four lights in proper
alignment are seen in the presence of a manifest stra-
bismus, harmonious anomalous retinal correspon-
dence may be inferred. This is a gross test and not
one that is likely to alter decisions regarding treat-
ment, although four light fusion is considered a favor-
able finding with the prism adaptation test.
Bagolini striated glasses. Bagolini glasses are
essentially see-through, micro Maddox rods that
turn a point of light into a line while not disturbing
vision. These glasses are ordinarily placed in a trial
frame with their axes at 135 OD and 45 OS (or
equivalent). They are used to determine retinal cor-
respondence in casual seeing. Nearly all strabismic
patients when viewing a point of light will see diago-
nal lines intersecting at the light or where the light is
stimulating the retina in cases with a small central
scotoma. This finding is compatible with harmonious
anomalous retinal correspondence in the strabismic
patient. Some patients will see one diagonal line cor-
responding to the preferred eye while suppressing the
non-preferred eye. Other patients will see a complete
line corresponding to the preferred eye and an incom-
plete line, with a missing segment adjacent to the
light, with the non-preferred eye. These test results
ordinarily do not influence surgical planning. These
have been used by investigators for a variety of diag-
nostic and therapeutic manipulations and for the
study of retinal correspondence and abnormal binoc-
ular movement.
After-image test. The afterimage test is used to
determine retinal correspondence in extreme dissoci-
ation. Anomalous retinal correspondence occurring
on the afterimage test indicates a deep sensory anom-
aly. Retinal correspondence tends to be normal or
harmonious anomalous when tested with the Bagolini
glasses, normal or anomalous with the haploscope,
and normal with the after-image test, indicating that
retinal correspondence response varies with the test-
ing conditions and the test. All that can be inferred
from this testing is how completely the eyes have
adapted to the strabismus angle. To do an afterimage
test, a bar of bright light with a non-illuminated cen-
tral fixation point is presented horizontally to the eye
used for fixation and then vertically to the other eye.
If the afterimage intersects at the fixation point, nor-
mal retinal correspondence is present with this test. If
Workup of the strabismus patient
the lines do not intersect at the fixation point, deep
anomalous correspondence is present.
Sensory fixation. Fixation behavior is deter-
mined with an ophthalmoscope that contains a fixa-
tion target that the patient is asked to look at with
each eye while the fellow eye is occluded. The exam-
iner can compare the retinal point used to fixate this
target with the anatomic location of the fovea. This
point of fixation is recorded directly on the chart with
a small x. Fixation with any retinal point other than
the fovea means that acuity in that eye will be
reduced. The farther the point of fixation is from the
fovea, the greater the reduction in acuity. Amblyopia
with peripheral eccentric fixation suggests the
possibility of a significant overcorrection of an
esodeviation even when moderate surgery is done.
Implications of sensory testing. Sensory testing
is useful both preoperatively and postoperatively.
The closer to normal the preoperative sensory find-
ings, the more the surgeon should try to create surgi-
cal alignment or a slight surgical overcorrection that
would lead to fusion. Postoperative sensory testing is
a check on surgical results and a guide to further non-
surgical treatment that should be pursued appropriate-
ly in the case of an undercorrection or an overcorrec-
tion in a potentially fusing patient.
Measurement of alignment - prism
cover testing and other methods
Alternate prism and cover testing is a method to
measure the maximum deviation. This testing is per-
formed at distance (20 feet) and near (13 inches), with
and without glasses (if they are worn) while the
patient views an accommodative target in the primary
position. The use of an accommodative target and the
wearing of glasses are essential because together they
control the patient's accommodative convergence.
Prism and cover testing is also done in approximate-
ly 30 of upgaze and downgaze while the patient
wears full correction and views an accommodative
target in the distance. If this test is performed at near
while measuring for A and V pattern, the patient
should wear +3.00 D lenses over the distance correc-
tion to eliminate the effects of accommodative con-
vergence, especially in downgaze.
Upgaze and downgaze can be achieved by tilting
the patient's head forward and backward. This
maneuver uncovers an A or V pattern which is best
tested while the patient fixes on a distant target. A
10 difference between upgaze and downgaze is sig-
nificant for diagnosing an A pattern and a 15 differ-
ence is significant for a V pattern.
Other useful variations of prism and cover test-
ing that can be performed before or after the alternate
prism and cover test include the following:
1. The cover-uncover test differentiates a
tropia from a phoria. Both are measured at the
87
Chapter 4
same time but not differentiated with the
alternate prism and cover test. Movement of
the covered eye immediately after the cover
is removed and while the uncovered eye
maintains fixation indicates a phoria. A
tropia is noted by first establishing the fixing
eye and then covering it while observing the
fellow eye for movement. If the fellow eye
does not move, the patient is orthotropic. If
the eye moves to take up fixation, a tropia is
present and the direction should be noted. If
the eyes move inward toward the nose, an
exoshift is recorded; if the eyes move outward
toward the ear, an esoshift is recorded. When
the eyes appear straight and/or good stereo
acuity has been measured, even while assum-
ing a face turn, head tilt, etc., the surgeon
should proceed to the motor evaluation. The
patient could have an incomitant mechanical
strabismus dealt with by the patient with a
face turn, head tilt, or both. This would have
been uncovered for example in a case of
Brown or Duane while testing ductions. A
phoria is the most important feature found
with the cover-uncover test. With aligned
eyes in casual seeing, a phoria can be meas-
ured with alternate prism and cover testing.
This testing also measures the total deviation,
phoria, and tropia when these coexist.
2. Lateral gaze prism and cover testing can
reveal the presence of lateral incomitance
which is especially important in exodevia-
tions and in previously operated patients.
3. Prism and cover testing with either eye fix-
ing helps to determine the primary and sec-
ondary deviation. This test is a variation of
the simultaneous prism and cover test.
4. Simultaneous prism and cover testing
(SPC) determines the actual tropia in casual
seeing in patients where a tropia and phoria
coexist (monofixational esophoria, monofix-
ation syndrome, microstrabismus, or small-
angle tropia with peripheral fusion). The fix-
ing eye is first identified. Then it is covered
while a prism of appropriate size and orienta-
tion is simultaneously placed in front of the
deviating eye. The amount of prism is
increased or decreased until no movement
occurs in the deviating eye. The prism need-
ed to preempt re-fixation with the deviating
eye is a measure of the alignment during
casual seeing.
5. The Hirschberg test compares the location
of the light reflex which is normally in the
center of the pupil of each eye to the anatom-
ic central pupillary axes. It is performed
when patient cooperation is poor. For each
millimeter of displacement of the corneal
88
light reflex in the non-fixing eye, approxi-
mately 7 degrees or 15 of deviation is pres-
ent.
6. The Krimsky test determines the amount of
prism that must be placed before the fixing
eye to center the corneal light reflex in the
pupil of the non-fixing eye as this eye pas-
sively moves according to Herings law (see
page 105). This test is particularly useful
when the patient has such poor vision in one
eye that fixation is not taken up well with that
eye during prism and cover testing.
7. Prism and cover testing with either eye fix-
ing in the nine diagnostic positions of gaze
is performed in cases of muscle palsy, partic-
ularly vertical muscle palsy. This is the pre-
mier measurement of alignment.
8. Alternate prism and cover testing with the
head tilted approximately 45 to the right
and to the left is called the Bielschowsky test.
This test which is said to be positive when a
vertical deviation increases with head tilt is
useful for identifying isolated cyclovertical
muscle palsy.
9. Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) is
noted when either eye drifts upward the same
or differing amounts when occluded and
down when the cover is removed with cover-
uncover testing. It is recorded as +1 (5) to
+4 (25). Some surgeons prefer to measure
rather than estimate DVD. This measure-
ment may be performed in a manner similar
to that with the simultaneous prism and cover
test. However, DVD may be present with a
coexisting true vertical deviation that is in the
same or opposite direction as the DVD.
DVD is also often of different amplitude in
various fields of gaze and may demonstrate
movement in only one eye! DVD may even
present as pseudo-overaction of the inferior
obliques. This is confirmed by noting a
hyperdeviation of the occluded, abducted eye
during lateral gaze. With true inferior
oblique overaction, and no DVD the occlud-
ed abducted eye is more likely to be hypode-
viated. Also, a V pattern should be present
with true inferior oblique overaction. An eye
with DVD that moves upward when covered
can drift well below the midline when the
cover is removed. This phenomenon has
been called a falling eye. Some eyes with
very poor vision will drift below the midline
with an accompanying vertical bobbing of
the eye. This is called the Heiman-
Bielschowsky phenomenon. An exodevia-
tion of one eye only is called dissociated hor-
izontal deviation (DHD). This is in a way an
extension of DVD. The two have been char-

acterized as the dissociated strabismus com-
plex (DSC) by M. E. Wilson.
10. A translucent occluder* held before one eye
forces fixation with the other eye but allows
observation of the occluded eye. This is an
excellent way to observe the deviation in
DVD. This testing is used effectively in tele-
medicine (see chapter 15).
11. Red lens and Maddox rod tests are useful
subjective tests and for charting in cases of
small-angle vertical and/or horizontal strabis-
mus with symptomatic diplopia.
12. The double Maddox rod test is useful in the
diagnosis and measurement of cyclodevia-
tions.
13. The 4 base-out prism test may be used to
uncover a scotoma in the macula of one eye
in patients with microtropia.
14. A Hess, Lancaster, or Lees screen may be
used to plot directly the deviation in a coop-
erative strabismic patient.
15. Diplopia fields are mapped with a Goldmann
perimeter or arc perimeter while the patient
views the moving fixation target with both
eyes open and with the head centrally posi-
tioned and stabilized. The documentation
provided is valuable for following recovery
from an acute paresis and especially for
medicolegal and compensation purposes.
Refraction
Refraction has a vital role in the diagnosis and
treatment of strabismus. It is imperative that those
involved in the care of the strabismus patient under-
stand the principles of refraction, have the skills to
perform accurate measurement of the refractive error,
and use spectacle correction or the equivalent as
required in the treatment of strabismus. If you intend
to treat patients with strabismus but are not compe-
tent with refraction technique, you should stop here.
Learn how to refract and then resume your study. A
person ignorant of refraction methods is not fully
qualified to treat strabismus!
Work up of the patient with strabismus always
starts with the refraction. In heavily pigmented
patients a cycloplegic refraction is performed using
atropine solution 1.0% (1 drop) or atropine ointment
1% (-inch strip) in each eye for 3 days before the day
of examination. When drops are used, the atropine
may also be applied on the day of the examination.
Careful instructions are given to the parents to avoid
overdosage. These instructions include using no
more medicine than prescribed and holding a finger
over the punctum for 30 seconds after drops are
instilled in one eye in the morning and the other in the
* This technique was made popular by Annette Spielmann of Nancy, France.
Workup of the strabismus patient
afternoon. Use of atropine is usually restricted to pre-
school-aged children, for initial refraction, and when
esotropia is present.
When refracting a lightly pigmented patient in
the usual office setting, a cycloplegic refraction can
be performed satisfactorily approximately 20 to 40
minutes after one or two drops of cyclopentolate
(Cyclogyl) 1% have been instilled in the cul-de-sac in
children over 1 year. One drop of phenylephrine
(Neo-Synephrine) 2.5% may be used in addition to
the cyclopentolate in patients with dark irides. In
children under 1 year of age, cyclopentolate 0.5%
drops are used.
In esodeviating patients the full hyperopia must
be elicited. Hyperopia as low as +3.00 D should
receive a trial treatment with glasses in patients with
esotropia usually beginning after 1 year of age.
However, I have seen several patients less than 1 year
of age with esotropia relieved by wearing a +3.00 D
correction. Echothiophate iodide (Phospholine)
drops (0.06% to 0.125%, one drop in each eye each
morning for 3 weeks) in lieu of glasses may help to
determine what effect the hyperopia (accommodative
effort) has on the esodeviation, but because anti-
cholinesterase drops only reduce the effective accom-
modative convergence/accommodation ratio (AC/A)
and do not eliminate the need for accommodation,
they are not a true substitute for glasses.
A difference in the refractive error between the
eyes is called anisometropia. Difference of as little as
+1.00 or +2.00 diopters can be amblyopiogenic and
usually indicates the need for the full refractive dif-
ference to be prescribed. If glasses are prescribed
with the hyperopia reduced, it should be reduced
equally. For example, OD +2.00 +1.00 x 90, OS
+6.00 +2.00 x 90, could be cut to OD +1.00 +1.00 x
90, OS +5.00 +2.00 x90. These glasses would be
effective and better tolerated.
Adult patients do not ordinarily require cyclople-
gia, but in selected cases of convergence excess this
may be needed. It is best to avoid use of cycloplegics
in pre-presbyopic adults. Use of cycloplegics in such
patients can precipitate presbyopia resulting in a very
unhappy patient.
Fundus examination
Examination of the retina is carried out using a
standard or small portable indirect ophthalmoscope.
It is a relatively simple matter to see the retina poste-
rior to the equator in a squirming infant using the
indirect ophthalmoscope. This examination to rule
out pathologic conditions in the posterior pole is an
essential part of the evaluation of every strabismus
patient. Remember, esotropia is the second most com-
mon presenting sign, after white pupil of retinoblas-
89
Chapter 4
toma! The direct ophthalmoscope is used to study
detail of the optic nerves and maculae and to deter-
mine fixation behavior in the older child with ambly-
opia. A total retina examination such as that needed
to rule out retinoblastoma in an infant requires an
examination under general anesthesia. For purposes
of strabismus, examination of the posterior retina as it
effects central vision is sufficient.
Biomicroscopic examination
Examination of the anterior segment should be
performed on all patients, particularly when echothio-
phate iodide is used, because of the possibility of iris
cysts and to confirm continued clarity of the lens. A
portable slit lamp is a valuable instrument for exam-
ining children under 3 years of age. At the very least,
the anterior segment should be studied using the
direct ophthalmoscope. When nystagmus and
decreased vision are noted, iris transillumination
defects indicative of albinism, either oculocutaneous
or ocular, should be looked for.
External examination
The appearance of the lids should be noted. Is
there ptosis or epicanthus (superioris or inferioris)?
Are the palpebral fissures mongoloid, anti-mon-
goloid, or normal? Is there proptosis, hypertelorism,
microphthalmos? Is lid lag present? Are there con-
junctival scars? All of this information should be
recorded.
Diagnosis of the strabismus condition
When sufficient historical data and motility and
refractive measurements have been recorded, a diag-
nosis is made. This diagnosis can be made in most
cases after the initial examination. Repeated meas-
urements at one or more subsequent visits should be
taken in some cases before a final quantitative diag-
nosis is established and a specific surgical treatment
plan determined. For example; congenital esotropia,
longstanding superior oblique palsy, sensory
esotropia or exotropia and similar types of strabismus
can usually be scheduled for surgery at the initial visit
and then re-evaluated on the day of surgery. In con-
trast, intermittent exotropia in the toddler, acute cra-
nial nerve palsies, and residual refractive esotropia
may require a longer period of observation along with
repeated measurements.
Other special examinations may be employed
for complex diagnosis including the following:
1. Tensilon test
2. Differential intraocular pressure test
3. Saccadic velocity observed and with elec-
tro-oculogram recording
4. Nystagmography
5. Iris angiography
6. Imaging of the orbit with CT or MRI
90
7. Forced ductions
8. Generated muscle force
The diagnosis should include as much informa-
tion as possible about the strabismus problem includ-
ing notation of some or all of the following:
1. Etiology
2. Direction of deviation (eso, exo, hyper,
cyclo)
3. Comitance
4. Fixation behavior
5. Vision (amblyopia)
6. Refraction, accommodative factors
7. AC/A
8. Manifest or latent
9. Constant or intermittent
10. A or V pattern
11. Mechanical factors (forced ductions)
12. Cranial nerve status (saccadic velocity -
secondary deviation)
13. Muscle force
14. Lid fissure configuration
15. DVD - DHD
16. Head posture
17. Aberrant regeneration
18. Oblique muscle function
19. Facial asymmetry
20. Ptosis (upper or lower lid)
Diagnostic considerations for
strabismus with restrictions
Clinical evaluation of strabismus
with restricted motility
Underaction
Apparent excesses or real deficiencies of ocular
movements can occur with longstanding strabismus.
Even more dramatic and obvious apparent excesses
and real deficiencies occur with acute palsies and
with congenital restrictive strabismus such as with
Brown, Duane, Mbius, or fibrosis syndromes. Other
causes of strabismus with restriction include metabol-
ic (thyroid ophthalmopathy), iatrogenic (postopera-
tive eye muscle surgery, cataract, or retinal detach-
ment surgery), traumatic (blowout fracture), fibrosis
syndrome, progressive ophthalmoplegia, orbital
tumor, inflammation, and more. Accurate analysis of
the sometimes subtle abnormalities in the extent and
character of ocular movement caused by acute or
longstanding strabismus, or from any of the other
causes listed, is an essential step in the planning and
ultimate execution of the correct surgical procedure.
For example, in an esotropic patient with deficient
abduction in the chronically esodeviated eye and oth-
erwise full unrestricted ductions, the correct surgery
would be dictated by the results of testing both active
and passive movement in the deviated eye. In such a

patient, any mechanical restriction to abduction must
be released before the eye could be straightened and
before there could be any hope of normal or near nor-
mal abduction. Whether release of the medial restric-
tion alone would be sufficient or whether ipsilateral
lateral rectus resection or even a muscle transfer
should be performed would depend on the results of
testing for generated muscle force. If, for example,
generated force were brisk and the angle of deviation
small, freeing of the restriction with or without medi-
al rectus recession could be sufficient. If the angle
were large and the generated force only moderate, lat-
eral rectus resection in addition to the medial rectus
recession might be necessary. Finally, if generated
force toward abduction were minimal or nil, it would
be necessary to do some type of extraocular muscle
transfer procedure. Whether the medial rectus were
recessed or weakened with Botox would depend on
the degree of restriction and to some extent on the
angle of deviation as well as on the surgeon's own
preference.
Except in certain cases of total sixth or third
nerve palsy and a few other examples, such as inferi-
or rectus denervation as occurs in certain cases of
blowout fracture, some eye movement force remains
in the so-called underacting muscle. This remaining
force, though diminished, points out that emphasis
should be placed on freeing of mechanical restric-
tions. In some cases this is relatively easy, such as in
cases of longstanding strabismus with a normally
contracting antagonist. On the other hand, freeing of
the restriction in a congenital Brown syndrome to
restore normal or near normal ocular motility can be
difficult to accomplish. In addition, freeing of
restricted movements can result in a distressing over-
correction.
Overaction
Overaction of extraocular muscles is more diffi-
cult to analyze and categorize than is underaction of
extraocular muscles. For this reason, we use the term
apparent overaction. There is no evidence that the
so-called overacting muscle has more force or has a
greater saccadic velocity. Even though the eye
appears to move farther in the usual field of action.
This is seen as excess adduction or abduction in long-
standing esotropia or exotropia. This overaction may
be seen because the checking of muscle action is
relaxed or relatively ineffective. In the case of over-
acting oblique muscles, the apparent increase in
action may be a horizontal movement which allows
the globe to move farther laterally in the orbit.
Careful observation of the apparent overacting supe-
rior and inferior oblique frequently reveals that over-
action is actually abduction. This produces the well-
known V with overaction of the inferior obliques
and A with overaction of the superior obliques.
Overaction of the superior oblique can be seen in the
Workup of the strabismus patient
normal eye in cases of superior oblique palsy with
restriction of the ipsilateral superior rectus. This is
due to a Herings law response with the normal supe-
rior oblique receiving the same innervation as its
yoke, the inferior rectus, in the involved eye.
Congenital or acquired incomitant strabismus
with limitations in motility caused by muscle palsies
or mechanical restrictions, or a combination of the
two, is usually easy to recognize. However, an accu-
rate and correct diagnosis in such cases is absolutely
essential before a plan for surgery can be determined.
Nowhere in strabismus treatment is proper diagnosis
more essential to proper execution of surgical skills
than in these cases of incomitant strabismus. The dif-
ferential diagnosis of strabismus with restricted
motility requires analysis of saccadic movements,
forced (passive) ductions, and muscle force genera-
tion in addition to the usually performed prism and
cover tests.
Evaluation of noncomitant strabismus
The example shown in Figure 3 is a model for
any type of strabismus with restricted motility in one
or both eyes and in one or more fields of gaze. The
analysis becomes more complicated as more muscles
and fields of gaze are involved, but the principles are
the same. The patient has a right esotropia in the pri-
mary position. This is the primary deviation and
measures 50. In levoversion the eyes are grossly
parallel, with normal adduction of the right eye and
normal abduction of the left eye. No muscle weak-
ness or mechanical restriction is apparent in this
direction of gaze. In dextroversion the right esotropia
increases markedly. Abduction of the right eye is
deficient, whereas adduction of the left eye is normal
or could be increased. The decreased abduction in the
right eye could be the result of a paretic right lateral
rectus, a mechanical restriction associated with the
right medial rectus or with various muscular or fascial
structures in the right eye, or a combination of the
two. When the patient fixes with the right, paretic
eye the left esotropia is increased to 70. This is
called the secondary deviation.
Saccadic velocity analysis
Observed saccadic velocity is a useful clinical
tool for differentiating a weak muscle from a normal
muscle, which underacts only because it is held in
check by mechanical restrictions. A normal extraocu-
lar muscle will produce a brisk movement of the eye
with a peak velocity of 400 per second to as high as
600 per second. A paretic muscle will usually pro-
duce velocities at about one-tenth this speed. This
movement may be produced not by the paretic mus-
cle but by elastic orbital forces influenced by relax-
ation of the antagonist of the paretic muscle.
Decreased saccadic velocity can be readily observed
in the clinical setting. The electro-oculograph pro-
91
Chapter 4

Figure 3
A Fixing with the sound eye (primary deviation) - a right C Dextroversion shows limitation of abduction in the right
esotropia is observed. eye.
B Levoversion is essentially normal. D Fixing with the paretic eye and/or mechanically restrict-
ed right eye produces a larger secondary deviation.

92

vides recordings useful for determining subtle defi-
ciencies and for purposes of documentation in the
laboratory. But for clinical evaluation, observation
alone is usually sufficient.
Saccadic velocity analysis begins with the patient
fixing on an object in the field opposite that of the
suspected paretic muscle (Figure 4). The patient
shown has a right esotropia. To begin the test for sac-
cadic velocity, the patient is asked to look far to the
left in the field opposite that of the muscle whose
Normal innervation
Paresis v. paralysis
Figure 4
A Eyes are in a gaze opposite the field of action of the
underacting muscle
B Fixation shifts from extreme left to extreme right gaze
resulting in a saccade. In this case the eyes move with
equal velocity but excursion of the right eye is limited
suggesting normal innervation to the right lateral rectus.
Restricted right eye movement is likely due to mechani-
cal factors.
Workup of the strabismus patient
function is in question. The patient is then asked to
abruptly switch fixation to an object in the field of
action of the suspected paretic muscle. In this case
the patient is asked to switch fixation from extreme
levoversion to extreme dextroversion. To accomplish
this maneuver, it is best to instruct the patient to look
at an object that the examiner holds in the patient's
far left field and then to look at an object held in the
examiner's hand in the patient's far right field. During
the patient's switch of fixation, the examiner observes
C A slow or floating saccade indicates decreased innerva-
tion of the right lateral rectus. No information is avail-
able about possible mechanical restriction.
93
Chapter 4
the speed of the movement in the eye with limited
motility (the right eye). If this eye moves at a normal
saccadic speed (200 to 400 degrees/sec), as does the
normal eye which serves as a control, the apparently
underacting muscle (the right lateral rectus) is proba-
bly contracting in a normal or nearly normal way.
The limited motility is probably caused by mechani-
cal restriction associated with this muscle's antagonist
or other fascial structures around the globe. On the
other hand, if the eye moves to its final position in
attempted dextroversion with a slow, floating move-
ment ( 30 degrees/sec), which is slower than the fel-
low eye, this evidence suggests that the right lateral
rectus is paretic. In this case, little can be determined
regarding the presence or absence of an associated
mechanical restriction. A possible co-existing
mechanical restriction is determined only after pas-
sive duction testing has been performed. Saccadic
velocity analysis also can be performed with the aid
of an electro-oculograph that provides a printed read-
out. The electro-oculograph measures peak velocity
on one track. A second track measures the magnitude
of the ocular movement and displays a slope of the
ocular movement speed (Figure 5).
Figure 5
A Limited movement in the right eye with normal saccadic
velocity indicates that restriction is causing the strabis-
mus.
94
Forced (passive ductions)
Forced or passive ductions should be carried out
at some time on all patients undergoing strabismus
surgery. This test can be done at the time of surgery,
after adequate anesthesia has been obtained. The test
is performed in both eyes in all directions. In most
cases, forced or passive ductions are performed in the
operating room just before the actual surgery is
begun. The test is accurate immediately if a non-
depolarizing muscle relaxant has been used during
general anesthesia, but can only be performed after 15
or 20 minutes if succinylcholine or equivalent has
been used because of muscle contraction.
In cooperative patients with restricted motility
about whom the surgeon wants as much information
as possible before going to the operating room, forced
ductions can be carried out in the office using topical
anesthesia. Several drops of proparacaine hydrochlo-
ride or tetracaine are sufficient to anesthetize the con-
junctiva. In place of these anesthetic agents, 5% lido-
caine (Xylocaine) drops may be used. As another
alternative for anesthesia, a cotton-tipped applicator
saturated with cocaine hydrochloride 4% is held
against the conjunctiva at the point where the forced
B A slow saccadic velocity indicates weakness of the right
lateral rectus muscle. No information is revealed about
possible coexisting restrictions. This must be analyzed
with forced duction testing. Peak velocity is not shown.

duction forceps are to be applied. Fine-toothed for-
ceps are used to grasp the conjunctiva and episclera,
and the patient is asked to look toward the field of
action of the restricted motility. The examiner then
gently assists the eye into the full extent of the
attempted duction.
Three important techniques to practice when
doing the forced ductions on a patient in the clinic are
1) gently lift the eye as it is rotated on the physiolog-
ic axis center of rotation while avoiding pushing the
globe back in the orbit, 2) grasp the conjunctiva- epis-
clera with a secure bite with the forceps, and 3)
instruct/reassure the patient to continue looking in the
field to be tested and avoid a refixation that could
cause the cornea to be scraped by the forceps creating
a corneal abrasion or tearing the conjunctiva.
It has been suggested that passive ductions can
be tested using just a cotton-tipped applicator to move
the globe after instillation of a topical anesthetic.
This technique avoids the complications just
described.
In the example shown, the patient has a right
esotropia and limited abduction of the right eye
(Figure 6). After anesthetizing the eyes the patient is
asked to look as far to the right as possible. The con-
junctiva and episclera of the right eye are grasped
with a fine-toothed forceps at the nasal limbus (3
o'clock position). The examiner then attempts to
abduct the right eye gently but forcibly while follow-
ing the normal arc of rotation of the eye around its
physiologic vertical axis. If the eye cannot be abduct-
ed fully, a mechanical restriction is present and the
limitation of abduction results from mechanical caus-
es with or without associated paresis of the lateral
rectus (as inferred from saccadic velocity analysis).
If the eye can be abducted fully and the examiner
feels no resistance to forced abduction, no mechani-
cal restriction is present and a right lateral rectus pare-
sis is indicated. This finding is always associated
with a floating saccade.
Passive duction testing of the oblique
muscles
Superior oblique traction test
Guyton suggested an ingenious scheme for eval-
uating the status of the superior oblique tendon. This
test depends on feeling a knife edge response when
gently pushing the globe backward in the orbit while
rolling the globe back and forth over the stretched
superior oblique tendon. This test is interpreted
according to the surgeon's experience. It is performed
in the operating room with the patient under general
anesthesia to achieve the proper level of muscle
relaxation. Plager has expanded on the testing for
tightness (or laxity) of the obliques, adding testing of
the inferior oblique muscle.
Workup of the strabismus patient
Traction testing of the superior oblique tendon
can reveal laxity of the tendon which is the hallmark
of anatomic congenital superior oblique palsy with
its frequent anatomic anomalies of the tendon. When
laxity of the superior oblique tendon is found, it is
much more likely that the superior oblique tendon
will be explored, found to be loose or abnormally
inserted, and subsequently tucked, resected, or redi-
rected. On the other hand, if the tendon is thought to
be normal based on the superior oblique traction test,
the diagnosis is more likely acquired superior oblique
palsy or neurogenic congenital superior oblique palsy
and tuck or resection of the superior oblique is not
performed, avoiding a postoperative Brown syn-
drome. This superior oblique traction test adds to the
accuracy of both diagnosis and treatment of superior
oblique palsy. Saunders and later Plager described an
intraoperative traction test to determine the proper
amount to tuck the superior oblique tendon. Guided
by this test the tuck can be loosened if the tendon is
found too tight or tightened if the tendon remains lax.
To perform the superior oblique traction test on
the right eye, shown from above in Figure 7, the eye
is grasped at the limbus with fine-toothed forceps at
the 4 to 10 o'clock positions (shown) or the 2 and 8
o'clock positions (not shown) on the left eye. The
view is from above the patient's head. The eye is
pushed back in the orbit in full adduction. The eye is
then brought temporally while continuing to push it
back in the orbit. A normal taut superior oblique will
cause the globe to pop up. This reaction can be felt
and seen. As the globe slips over the superior oblique
tendon toward abduction, the eye recedes a bit further
in the orbit. If no tendon is felt or a very slack ten-
don is felt and the eye does not pop up but instead
slides back into the orbit when the globe is brought
temporally, the superior oblique is loose or absent.
Regardless of the tightness or looseness of the tendon,
the eye is easily pushed back in the orbit in full
abduction. In the case of a very loose tendon the
cornea remains out of view during the temporal
excursion of the globe.
Inferior oblique traction test
The inferior oblique traction test is best used to
confirm that apparent inferior oblique overaction is
due to a taut inferior oblique muscle and is done when
inferior oblique overaction persists after the muscle
has ostensibly been weakened. When performing this
test, it is not uncommon to find a tight inferior
oblique response in a muscle that has been previous-
ly weakened. When this is encountered and the infe-
rior oblique is explored most likely either the cut ends
of the muscle have reunited or some other type of
fibrous attachment is effective in causing persistent
inferior oblique overaction. In either situation, sever-
ing the attachments that cause inferior oblique func-
tion lateral to the inferior rectus is usually effective
95
Chapter 4

Figure 6
A Fixing with the sound left eye (primary deviation) D If the eye goes freely into abduction, passive or forced
B In dextroversion, limited abduction of the right eye is ductions are free confirming that no mechanical restric-
seen. tion is present.
C After topical anesthetic has been applied, the examiner
attempts to complete abduction of the right eye. If this
is not possible - the eye is stiff and immovable -
mechanical restriction is present.

96
 Workup of the strabismus patient

Figure 7 The superior oblique traction test (viewed from above the patients head)
A The eye is grasped at the 2 oclock and 10 oclock posi- C With a lax or loose tendon the cornea disappears and
tion (right eye from above) in preparation for the superior remains hidden behind the upper lid as the eye is rotat-
oblique traction test. ed.
B The eye is pushed back into the orbit and is guided from D The relative path of the globe as it passes over a normal
nasal to temporal. As it goes over the normal superior tendon.
oblique tendon, the eye pops up. E A lax superior oblique tendon allows the globe to be
pushed backward into the orbit.

97
Chapter 4
provided that the case is not otherwise complicated.
In cases of inferior oblique adherence or inferior
oblique inclusion, however, the outcome of reopera-
tion is not so optimistic. Restrictions often persist in
spite of careful attempts to free all adhesions in the
infero-temporal quadrant.
To perform the inferior oblique traction test, the
eye is grasped at the limbus with fine-toothed forceps
at the 2 and 8 o'clock positions on the right eye (or the
4 and 10 o'clock positions on the left eye), shown
from above in Figure 8. The eye is pushed back in the
orbit in full adduction. The eye is then brought tem-
porally while continuing to push back in the orbit. A
normal or taut inferior oblique will cause the globe to
pop up. This reaction can be felt and seen. If no
taut muscle is felt and the eye does not pop up when
the globe is brought temporally, the inferior oblique is
not tight and probably has been effectively weakened.
Regardless of the tightness or looseness of the mus-
cle, the eye is easily pushed back in the orbit in full
abduction.
Generated muscle force
Another step in analysis of strabismus with
restricted motility is to perform the active muscle-
force generation test. This test determines, in the
presence of restricted eye movements, the amount of
force generated by a given extraocular muscle within
the range of movement noted on testing of versions
and ductions. Active muscle force generation is a tac-
tile test that complements saccadic velocity analysis
which is a visual test.
The information obtained from saccadic analy-
sis, forced ductions, the muscle-force generation and
in a few cases the differential intraocular pressure test
helps indicate if recession-resection and freeing of
restrictions are indicated or if muscle transfer with or
without freeing of restrictions is required. When nor-
mal contraction plus mechanical restriction is present,
the restriction first must be eliminated by freeing con-
junctival-globe-muscle-fascial adhesions. Detaching
and recessing or otherwise weakening a muscle may
be required. Either recession alone or a recession-
resection procedure should be performed as indicat-
ed. When reduced or weak muscle contraction is dis-
covered, as evidenced by reduced generated muscle
force, a muscle transfer is usually indicated. This is
done with or without weakening the antagonist based
on the forced duction test, the age of the patient, and
the number of undisturbed anterior ciliary arteries.
To start the test, the patient is instructed to look
in the direction opposite from the field of action of the
muscle to be tested. In the example cited (a right
esotropia with limited abduction of the right eye), the
patient is asked to look far to the left (Figure 9).
Several drops of proparacaine hydrochloride (0.5%)
are sufficient to anesthetize the cornea and conjuncti-
va. A cotton-tipped applicator saturated with cocaine
98
hydrochloride 4% held against the conjunctiva at the
point where it is to be grasped with the forceps may
also be used to anesthetize the conjunctiva. The anes-
thetized conjunctiva and episclera of the right eye are
grasped with fine-toothed forceps at the nasal limbus
(3 o'clock) and the patient is asked to move the eye
slowly far to the right while the examiner attempts to
stabilize the right eye in extreme adduction. The
amount of tug felt by the examiner through the for-
ceps indicates the contracting power of the right lat-
eral rectus. If no appreciable tug is felt, little or no
contraction of the right lateral rectus occurred. This
type of response is associated with a floating saccade.
If the examiner feels a brisk tug on the for-
ceps stabilizing the eye, the right lateral rectus has
significant contracting power. This type of response
is associated with a brisk, normal-velocity, saccadic
movement. The limited movement in this case is
caused by a mechanical leash or tethering effect
usually caused by scar tissue, adhesions, or a spastic,
contracted antagonist. The surgeon can test generat-
ed force in the normal eye of a patient after topical
anesthesia to establish a feel for this test.
More accurate determination of active mus-
cle force generation can be obtained by using a strain-
gauge. Black silk sutures (4-0 or 5-0) are affixed to
the episclera and attached to the strain gauge deflec-
tor. A perilimbal suction cup or a special forceps can
be used to connect the episclera to a suture or other
device that in turn attaches to the strain gauge.
Isometric contractions should be 60 to 90 gm or more
in a normal muscle and are reduced to approximately
10 gm in complete paralysis. Even with paralysis
some force is measured because of passive tissue
forces. These more accurate tests are reserved for the
laboratory.
Differential intraocular
pressure test
The differential intraocular pressure (IOP) test is
a useful indirect technique for diagnosing generated
muscle force and confirming mechanical restriction
in the face of a normal agonist. This test is based on
the fact that in the normal patient the eye rotates
around the center of the globe. During normal move-
ment the antagonist relaxes as the agonist contracts
and no excessive pressure is placed externally on the
globe, and IOP remains normal. At extremes of duc-
tions in the normal eye, an increase in IOP occurs
because ocular movement is stopped by mechanical
checking by the antagonist rather than by lack of ago-
nist contraction power. In cases where ocular move-
ment is limited by mechanical restriction, the IOP
increases when the eye attempts to move into the
restricted field. On the other hand, when a restricted
movement is not accompanied by an increase in IOP,
paresis may be indicated. The differential IOP test
 Workup of the strabismus patient

A B

C1 C2

Figure 8 The inferior oblique traction test viewed from above the patients head
A The right eye is grasped at the limbus. C2 If no pop is felt, the inferior oblique has been effective-
B The eye is rotated nasally and pushed back in the orbit. ly weakened.
C1 The eye is brought temporally -- the surgeon feels for D The eye normally recedes in abduction regardless of
the pop up of the inferior oblique which is still present. the state of the inferior oblique.

99
Chapter 4

B1

a slight tug
signifies a weak
muscle

B2

brisk - firm tug

signifies a
normal muscle

Figure 9
A To test abducting force in the right lateral rectus, the
right eye is treated with appropriate topical anesthesia
and the patient is instructed to look in extreme left gaze.
B1 The right eye is grasped at the nasal limbus (or temporal
limbus) with fine-toothed forceps. The patient is asked
to look slowly to far right gaze. If only a slight tug is felt
in the muscle tested (the right lateral rectus in this case),
a paresis or paralysis is confirmed.
B2 If the tug on the forceps is felt as strong then it confirms
that the muscle is innervated - not paralyzed.
C If the examiner has difficulty fixing the eye nasally, the
restraining forceps can be placed temporally (9 oclock
in the right eye). Great care must be exercised to avoid
losing the firm grasp of the eye that could result in
scratching the cornea. The tester should remain alert
to pull the forceps away if the grip is loosening.

100

can be used in the evaluation of strabismus with
restriction in a patient at any age, but it is especially
useful in a patient who will not cooperate for other
tests of generated muscle force. Patients with thyroid
ophthalmopathy especially involving the inferior rec-
tus often have chronic elevation of intraocular pres-
sure by this mechanism. Optic nerve changes and
visual field defects characteristic of glaucoma have
been seen in such cases.
The eye normally rotates around its center, the
antagonist relaxing and the agonist contracting with
no increase in IOP until the extremes of duction have
been encountered (Figure 10). When an ocular move-
A
15 mmHg
Figure 10
A As the eye rotates in adduction around the Z axis no
additional pressure is exerted and intraocular pressure is
unchanged.
Workup of the strabismus patient
ment is limited by a restriction, the point of restriction
becomes a fulcrum, the eye is pulled backward, and
the IOP increases. A longstanding right esotropia
with normal lateral rectus function in the right eye but
restriction of the antagonist right medial rectus is
shown. This condition can occur after recovery from
a sixth nerve palsy or with co-contraction in Duane.
Orbital resistance meeting the backward-pulled eye
produces an elevation in IOP, as recorded earlier in
the primary position. If in the cases cited previously
the limited abduction of the right eye were due to
paresis of the right lateral rectus, no rise in IOP would
occur on attempted abduction.
15 mmHg
B As the eye attempts to rotate in adduction a stiff, non-
relaxing lateral rectus becomes a fulcrum, the globe
retracts and pressure rises.
continued.
101
Chapter 4

C1

C2

Figure 10, contd

C1 Intraocular pressure increases during attempted abduc- D In the absence of force toward abduction with or without
tion in the right eye that has normal or near normal associated restriction, no increase in pressure occurs.
force generated in the lateral rectus in the presence of
restriction to abduction.
C2 Force on the globe as it is pulled back against the
orbital contents.

102
 Workup of the strabismus patient

muscle insertions on the globe, the muscle's effect on

A case posted on the pediatric ophthalmology movement, and considering potential passive
list serve described a 49-year-old man who had mechanical restrictions to movement.
a large left exotropia and limited adduction. On The globe moves around the x-, y-, and z-axes as
attempted adduction of the left eye intraocular shown in Figure 11. The eye abducts and adducts
pressure increased from 15 to 55 mmHg. The around the z-axis, elevates and depresses around the
optic nerve demonstrated glaucomatous cupping x-axis, and carries out intorsion and extorsion around
and a typical glaucoma visual field defect was the y-axis. The eye moves according to a combina-
found. In this case, release of the restriction tion of these factors in Listings plane but for practi-
would relieve the increased pressure and slow cal purposes, it is useful to think of these movements
or eliminate the glaucomatous process. in isolation. The globes are shown in Figure 12 as
viewed from above. They are divided into quadrants.
The superior rectus (SR) elevates, adducts, and intorts
the globe. The superior oblique (SO) depresses,
Motor physiology - The muscles
actions
After the patient's ocular motility evaluation has
been completed a decision is made which may
include planning for extraocular muscle surgery. This
plan for surgical treatment should be written on the
patient's record when the patient is scheduled for sur-
gery. In most instances, the specific muscles to be
operated and the direction and amount they are to be
weakened, strengthened, or shifted will have been
decided. This plan is not usually influenced by the
alignment of the eyes in the operating room after
anesthesia has been obtained. However, in those
patients with restricted motility, particularly those
who have been operated on previously, the type and
amount of surgery can be determined only after per-
forming forced ductions while the patient is asleep
and in some cases only after assessing the state of the
muscles and associated restrictive fascia seen during
dissection at the time of surgery.
When recording a plan for surgery, it is helpful to
think in terms of the mechanical components. This
may be accomplished by picturing the location of the
Figure 11 Ficks Axes

Figure 12
The superior oblique depresses, intorts and abducts. The superior rectus elevates,
adducts, and intorts.

103
Chapter 4
abducts, and intorts the globe. In addition, the anteri-
or fibers of the superior oblique tendon are primarily
responsible for intorsion and the posterior fibers for
depression. If the superior oblique tendon is moved
forward, it will increase intorsion. If the superior rec-
tus is moved temporally, it will increase intorsion,
and if it is moved nasally, it will decrease intorsion.
Both of these superior muscles move the globe in the
x-, y-, and z-axes.
The globes are shown as viewed from below in
Figure 13. The inferior rectus (IR) depresses,
adducts, and extorts the globe. Recessing the inferior
rectus as done in thyroid restrictive disease can result
in decreased adduction and an A pattern. This can be
avoided by a nasal shift. The inferior oblique (IO) ele-
vates, abducts, and extorts the globe. Both of these
inferior muscles move the globe in the x-, y-, and z-
axes.
In the primary position, the medial rectus (MR)
and lateral rectus (LR) muscles adduct and abduct the
globe, respectively (Figure 14). The eye is viewed
from the lateral aspect. These muscles move the
globe around the z-axis. With the eye elevated, both
horizontal rectus muscles elevate the globe (Figure
15). This adds movement of the globe around the x-
axis. With the eye depressed, both horizontal rectus
muscles depress the globe. Both horizontal rectus
muscles can be shifted upward to improve elevation
or downward to improve depression (Figure 16).
When the medial or lateral rectus insertion is shifted
upward, the muscle becomes an elevator in part.
When the medial or lateral rectus insertion is shifted
downward, the muscle becomes a depressor in part.
Mechanical restrictions hampering ocular move-
ments can be associated with the following: (1) con-
junctiva, (2) anterior Tenon's capsule, (3) the muscle
itself, (4) intermuscular membrane, and (5) orbital fat
(Figure 17). All of these factors must be considered
during surgery.
Figure 13
The inferior oblique elevates, extorts, and abducts. The inferior rectus depresses,
adducts, and extorts.
104
When a horizontal rectus muscle is shifted verti-
cally, this muscle has less effect on the globe align-
ment in the same direction as the muscle is shifted.
For example, when the medial rectus is shifted up,
this muscle has less adducting effect in upgaze.
When the medial rectus is shifted downward, adduct-
ing effect is less in down gaze. The same applies for
the lateral rectus. This response is the basis of verti-
cal shift of the horizontal recti to treat A or V pat-
tern.
As a rule, all previously operated muscles that
are being considered for surgery should be inspected
under direct visualization before any strengthening,
weakening, or transfer procedures are performed. In
case of reoperation, findings at the time of surgery
could lead to change in the surgical plan. For exam-
ple, in a patient with secondary exotropia occurring
after recession of the medial rectus and resection of
the lateral rectus for esotropia, depending on the
angles, the lateral rectus would require weakening
and the medial rectus strengthening. If treated like a
new case, the lateral rectus would be weakened first
and then the medial rectus strengthened. This
approach follows the rule of doing the recession first
in a recession-resection procedure. However, in sec-
ondary cases where two muscles will be operated and
forced ductions are unrestricted and ductions limited,
the muscle to be strengthened is isolated first and
tagged with a 4-0 silk suture. This is a good practice
to follow because it allows the surgeon to determine
if a previously operated muscle is indeed present or,
if present, has slipped from the intended point of
insertion. The condition of the muscle to be strength-
ened by advancement and resection may influence the
amount of weakening that should be done on the
antagonist, if any at all, or may indicate that a muscle
transfer should be performed. For example, esotropia
occurring after recession of the lateral rectus and
resection of the medial rectus for exotropia and with
 Workup of the strabismus patient

limited forced (and voluntary) abduction may be

treated with recession of a tight medial rectus alone
(provided muscle-force generation of the lateral rec-
tus is adequate). In reoperations it is essential to
assess the relative roles played by weak or slipped
muscles, tight muscles or adhesions, or both. In
these cases surgery on a single muscle may be suffi-
cient if significant muscle slippage or restriction is
discovered.
Figure 14 Herings law - yoke muscles
The lateral rectus abducts and the medial
rectus adducts. The extraocular muscles are yoked in their action
according to Hering's law of distributed innervation.
By this law, muscles in each eye are associated as by
a yoke (as oxen in days of old and in some parts of the
world now) and act together to move the eyes toward
the object of regard while receiving equal innerva-
tion. Movements of the eyes together by the action of
yoked muscles are called versions. This is in contrast
to ductions or movements of just one eye. Surgical
alteration of one extraocular muscle in the fixing eye
Figure 15 always affects its yoked muscle. This must be con-
In upgaze the horizontal recti may con-
tribute to elevation. sidered in every patient undergoing extraocular mus-
cle surgery. For example, deficient elevation of the
right eye in adduction can be caused by underaction
of the right inferior oblique muscle. If the surgeon
wishes to enhance elevation of the right eye in adduc-
tion but does not wish to carry out a strengthening
procedure on the right inferior oblique (not an easy or
straightforward procedure), the yoke muscle of the
right inferior oblique - the left superior rectus muscle
- may be weakened. In this case the left eye will
Figure 16 require more innervation to elevate in abduction. By
In downgaze the horizontal recti may con-
tribute to depression.

Figure 17
Mechanical restriction limiting eye movement can be association with:
1 Conjunctiva 4 Intermuscular membrane (posterior Tenons)
2 Anterior Tenons 5 Orbital fat
3 The muscle

105
Chapter 4

A B

C D

E F

G H

Figure 18 The Yoked Extraocular Muscles

A The right lateral rectus and left medial rectus muscles
are yoked to produce dextroversion.
B The left lateral rectus and right medial rectus muscles
are yoked to produce levoversion.
C The right inferior oblique and the left superior rectus
muscles are yoked to produce elevation in up left gaze.
D The right superior oblique and left inferior rectus mus-
cles are yoked to produce depression in down left gaze.
E The right inferior rectus and left superior oblique mus-
cles are yoked to produce depression in down right
gaze.
F The right superior rectus and the left inferior oblique
muscles are yoked to produce elevation in up right gaze.
G With the head tilted 45 right, the right superior oblique
and right superior rectus rotate the right eye clockwise.
In the left eye, the left inferior oblique and left inferior
rectus are clockwise rotators.
H With the head tilted 45 left the left superior oblique and
left superior rectus rotate the left eye counter clockwise
and the right inferior oblique and right inferior rectus are
counter clockwise rotators.

106
 Workup of the strabismus patient

Hering's law, the yoke of the muscle responsible for
elevation in abduction (left superior rectus) which is
the right inferior oblique will receive more innerva-
tion. By this technique the right inferior oblique can
be strengthened. If in this example the eye with the
paretic muscle is used for fixation, weakening the
yoke will simply move the fellow eye down to align
with the eye with the underacting muscle. This prin-
ciple is applied with the posterior fixation suture to
produce a laudable secondary deviation.
In addition to the six positions of gaze testing
the action of these yoked muscles, the alignment of
the eyes is observed in primary position with the head
tilted 45 to the right and the left, and looking 30 up
and 30 down.
The fact that the oblique and rectus muscles are
torsional synergists but vertical antagonists is the
basis for the Bielschowsky head tilt test which
demonstrates greater vertical deviation when the head
is tilted toward the side of the paretic superior
oblique. This is also the key step in the Parks 3-step
test that sorts out paretic obliques and vertical recti
(Figure 19).
During upgaze the inferior oblique muscles can
overact causing a V pattern. The abducting force of
the inferior obliques producing a greater exodeviation
in upgaze results from weakness of the superior
obliques, upward displacement of the medial pulleys
or weakness of adduction after recession of the medi-
al recti. Antimongoloid fissures are common in V
esotropia (Figure 20).
In downgaze, overaction of the superior obliques
results in an A pattern that is seen in both exo and
esodeviations. Overaction of the superior obliques is
seen with mongoloid fissures and with downward dis-
placement of the medial pulleys.
As mentioned previously, non-surgical treatment
will not be discussed in detail in this text. All appro-
priate nonsurgical treatment including glasses,
prisms, anticholinesterase, occlusion, orthoptics, and
the like should be carried out in appropriate cases
before embarking on surgery.

A Parks 1

B Parks 2

Helveston Step I In a case with a hyperdeviation, the adducted eye in the lateroversion of greater vertical deviation
points to the ipsilateral oblique and contralateral rectus as the possibly paretic muscle.

C Parks 3

Helveston Step II If the vertical deviation is greater with head tilt toward the higher eye, the oblique from Step I is paret-
ic. If the opposite is true; that is, the vertical deviation is greater with the head tilted toward the lower eye, the vertical rec-
tus from Step I is paretic.

Figure 19 Positive Bielschowksy test in a patient with right superior oblique palsy
A Right hypertropia shown here latent because of vertical right superior rectus as it responds to the need to intort the
fusional amplitudes right eye. This is shown here as the Parks Three Step
B Overaction of the right inferior oblique in levoversion Test.
C With head tilt to the right the hypertropia increases
because of the weakly opposed elevating action of the

107
Chapter 4
B C
D E
Figure 20
A Antimongoloid fissures are associated with V pattern
esotropia. Mongoloid fissures are associated with A
esotropia. Esotropia in this patient is in upgaze only.
This rule does not necessarily hold for exodeviations.
B Looking up the abducting action of the inferior obliques
can produce a V.
Step 2: Results to be expected
from surgery
Each surgical procedure done on the extraocular
muscles is unique. This surgery is influenced by fac-
tors related both to the patient and to the specific sur-
gical procedure performed. These issues notwith-
standing, it is possible to establish guidelines that can
be useful in initial planning and proper execution of
successful strabismus surgery. The guidelines pre-
sented here are only a launching pad for the surgeon
who will gain experience in techniques of strabismus
surgery. Once a surgical career has taken flight, each
strabismus surgeon must apply his or her own valid
personal modifications to the following.
108
C Looking down the abducting action of the superior
oblique can produce an A.
D Lax superior oblique tendons, upward displacement of
pulleys and recessed medial rectus contribute to a V.
E Downward displacement of the pulleys contribute to an
A.
Horizontal rectus surgery for
esotropia
Single muscle procedure for esotropia:
Surgery on a single horizontal rectus muscle as
primary treatment of esotropia should be employed
sparingly and then only for special reasons. A special
reasons might be a patient with small-angle esotropia
and fusion potential where a single medial rectus
recession could promote fusion. A single medial rec-
tus recession is usually performed because the patient
has diplopia and/or asthenopia and has potential for
bifoveal fusion.

Individuals with esotropia, who have an angle
sufficiently small to be corrected by a single medial
rectus recession, tend to have peripheral fusion and
harmonious anomalous retinal correspondence and
are included in the monofixation syndrome. Such
patients are usually cosmetically acceptable and are
often better without surgery. A single medial rectus
recession performed for fear of producing an over-
correction is usually a manifestation of trepidation on
the part of an overcautious surgeon. Single medial
rectus recession for patients with limitation of motili-
ty such as Duane syndrome is worthwhile and is dis-
cussed elsewhere (see chapter 5).
Resection of a single lateral rectus muscle for
esotropia is less effective than recession of a single
medial rectus muscle and is less likely to be indicated
except in specific cases such as a lateral rectus mus-
cle that has slipped after prior surgery. Advancement
of a previously recessed lateral rectus can be effective
in cases of small angle incomitant esotropia with lim-
ited abduction after lateral rectus recession.
Two muscle surgery for esotropia:
Bimedial rectus recession measured from the
insertion. A minimal bimedial rectus recession of 2.5
mm reduces an esodeviation approximately 15 to
20. A maximum bimedial rectus recession of 7
mm* results in as much as 40 or more reduction in
the esodeviation. Slightly more effect may be
obtained in infants, but definitely less effect is pro-
duced in adults. Indications for bimedial rectus reces-
sion include:
1. Congenital esotropia up to 50
2. Esotropia in an adult up to 40
3. Equal vision
4. Esotropia greater at near (high AC/A)
5. Excess adduction
A bimedial rectus recession with vertical shift
may also be performed in patients with an A or V pat-
tern, especially in patients without oblique dysfunc-
tion. Lack of oblique muscle overaction is determined
by noting absence of hyper- or hypo-deviation in the
adducting eye in latero-version. In this case, the
medial rectus muscles are shifted vertically toward
the closed end of the pattern. This means that the
recessed medial rectus muscles are shifted upward for
an A pattern and downward for a V pattern.
In patients with a V pattern with inferior
oblique overaction, a bimedial rectus recession and
bilateral inferior oblique weakening is usually the
preferred technique.
* This might be excessive in a normal or smaller eye with a medial rectus insertion 5.5 mm from the limbus.
Workup of the strabismus patient
Upward displacement of the medial pulleys or
downward displacement of the lateral pulleys or con-
genital laxity of the superior oblique tendons are also
a likely cause of a V pattern. In either case, the infe-
rior oblique may apparently overact but the real
cause for hyperdeviation in adduction and for abduc-
tion in elevation (producing the V) is deficient
checking with a lax tendon or shifted vectors with
pulley displacement.
The desire for symmetry is not necessarily an
indication for performing a bimedial rectus recession
in every case of esotropia. A recession of the medial
rectus and resection of the lateral rectus is indicated
in cases with poor vision in one eye or with other rea-
sons to limit surgery to one eye. In addition, some
surgeons simply prefer to perform recession-resection
and this is perfectly acceptable.
Bimedial rectus recession measured from the
limbus. Since 1975 I have measured all bimedial rec-
tus recessions using the limbus as the reference point.
This is done for two reasons. First, the medial rectus
insertion site was found to be extremely variable,
ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 mm (average 4.4 mm) in a
series of esotropic patients, with the insertion site
having no relationship to the angle of deviation.
Second, up to 50% of patients undergoing bimedial
rectus recession for congenital esotropia before this
time (when maximum medial rectus recession was
5.0 to 5.5 mm) required additional surgery because of
undercorrection of the esodeviation. The unaccept-
able number of undercorrections suggested that a
larger bimedial rectus recession should be performed
provided it could be accomplished safely.
Rationale for measuring from the limbus.
Assuming that the medial rectus muscles could be
recessed to the equator without crippling the action of
the muscle, we decided to move the medial rectus
muscle to the equator and consider this a maximum
recession for large-angle congenital esotropia. The
medial recti could then be recessed a lesser amount
for smaller angles while still measuring from the lim-
bus. The easiest way to locate the equator is to use
the limbus as a reference. Since the corneal diameter
defined by the limbus as well as the axial length are
fairly consistent according to patient age, it is rela-
tively easy to calculate the distance of the equator
from the limbus. In the infant between six months
and one year, this value is approximately 10.5 mm.
Between four and six months the maximum is 10.0
mm. In the child over one year, the equator is approx-
imately 11.5 mm from the limbus. Therefore, these
dimensions were utilized as guides for performing
bimedial rectus recessions. These maximum reces-
sions have been used for any large angle of congeni-
tal esotropia, even those in excess of 50. On the
109
Chapter 4
Less than 1 year
Medial rectus recession
ET
measured from limbus
25 8.5 mm
35 9.5 mm
45+ 10.5 mm
< 6 mo 10.0 mm
Table 1
other hand, smaller deviations receive smaller reces-
sions with a minimum bimedial rectus recession for
congenital esotropia being 8.5 mm from the limbus.
Intermediate deviations are titrated between these
numbers and are described above (Table 1). It should
be emphasized that these numbers are merely guide-
lines. The surgeon should individualize his/her surgi-
cal numbers according to experience.
Measuring from the limbus has proved to be an
effective way of performing a larger bimedial rectus
recession without crippling the effect of the medial
rectus muscle postoperatively. This technique has
resulted in 80% to 85% of patients being aligned sat-
isfactorily after just one procedure. Other surgeons
have equally good results performing bimedial rectus
recessions of up to 7 mm (rarely more) measuring
from the original insertion. However, I continue to
use measurement from the limbus because of the
wide variations in the medial rectus insertion site and
because of the excellent results obtained with limbal
measurements.
When bimedial rectus recession measured from
the limbus was introduced, it included routine con-
junctival recession and was called the en bloc or aug-
mented recession. Analysis of results indicated that it
was unnecessary to routinely recess the conjunctiva.
We now perform conjunctival recession to the origi-
nal medial rectus insertion site when performing a
bimedial rectus recession only in cases where passive
abduction is limited preoperatively by a tight con-
junctiva that occurs in approximately 5% of cases. In
110
More than 1 year
Medial rectus recession
ET
measured from limbus
25 8.5 mm
35 9.5 mm
45 10.5 mm
55+ 11.5 mm
cases without tight conjunctiva, and this includes
most cases with congenital esotropia, I use a cul-de-
sac incision.
Bilateral lateral rectus resection. I seldom per-
form bilateral lateral rectus resection. It is used most-
ly as a second procedure by surgeons who routinely
do a smaller bimedial rectus recession as an initial
procedure for large-angle congenital esotropia and
who decline re-recession of the medial rectus mus-
cles. As a rule, a strengthening procedure of a rectus
muscle without recession of its antagonist at the same
procedure is less effective at reducing the angle of
strabismus than a weakening procedure without
strengthening of the antagonist. Resection is consid-
erably less effective when done alone than the same
resection combined with a recession of the antagonist
performed at the same procedure. Two situations that
call for bilateral lateral rectus resection are diver-
gence insufficiency (paralysis) and residual esotropia
in a patient who has undergone a maximum bimedial
rectus recession. Approximately 20 of esodeviation
is corrected with a minimal 5 mm bilateral lateral rec-
tus resection and although good data are lacking, I
estimate that up to 35 to 40 of esotropia could be
corrected with a maximum 9 to 10+ mm bilateral lat-
eral rectus resection.

Recession of the medial rectus - resection of the
lateral rectus. A minimum recession-resection pro-
cedure for esotropia is 2.5 mm medial rectus reces-
sion and a 5 mm lateral rectus resection that could be
expected to correct 20 to 25 of esotropia. But, if a
smaller angle is treated, a single medial rectus reces-
sion could be considered. A maximum recession-
resection procedure of 5 mm(10.5 mm from the lim-
bus) medial rectus recession and 9 mm lateral rectus
resection in a child less than 1 year of age and of 7
mm (11.5 mm from the limbus) medial rectus reces-
sion and 10+ mm lateral rectus resection in a child
over 3 years corrects up to 50+ of esotropia.
Increasing the minimum numbers or decreasing the
maximum numbers can be done for deviations
between 20 and 50 of esotropia and for children
between the ages of 1 and 3 years.
The amount of surgery may be divided between
the medial and lateral rectus muscles according to
findings on ductions and versions as well as on dif-
ferences between distance and near measurements. If
excess adduction and/or greater deviation at near is
found, more emphasis is placed on the medial rectus
recession. If deficient abduction and/or greater devi-
ation in the distance is present, more emphasis is
placed on the lateral rectus resection. This represents
the symmetrizing effect of the recession-resection
procedure.
Three muscle surgery for esotropia:
Bimedial rectus recession and lateral rectus
resection. When more than 50 of esotropia must be
corrected, some surgeons believe strongly that sur-
gery should be performed on three horizontal rectus
muscles. This approach with maximum numbers
could correct up to 75 of esotropia, especially in a
younger patient. This maximum procedure consists
of a 5.0 mm bimedial rectus recession and 9 mm
resection of one lateral rectus in patients less than 1
year of age and a bimedial 7 mm (11.5 mm from the
limbus) rectus recession and 10+ mm resection of one
lateral rectus in patients over 3 years of age.
Deviations between 50 and 75 are corrected by
reducing maximum three muscle surgery by 0.5 to 1
mm per muscle. Three muscle surgery for esotropia
had been criticized on the grounds that after such sur-
gery only one unoperated horizontal rectus muscle
remains. Under these conditions, it has been said that
it is more difficult to correct any residual esodeviation
Workup of the strabismus patient
that might remain. However, residual esotropia in
this case could be treated with a marginal myotomy of
a previously maximally recessed medial rectus mus-
cle combined with a resection of the unoperated lat-
eral rectus muscle. This technique can, in my experi-
ence, be effective treatment for residual esotropia
after previous three muscle surgery. However, the
surgeon must remain alert for specific reasons why a
patient does not respond in the way expected. Is
unrecognized restriction, paralysis, or misdirection
the cause? Is further evaluation required?
Four muscle surgery for esotropia:
Bimedial rectus recession - bilateral lateral rec-
tus resection. Esotropia greater than 75 may be
treated surgically with a bilateral recession-resection
procedure. This four muscle procedure should be
used with discretion and is not often indicated. Four
muscle surgery should not be performed, except in
special circumstances, in infants. However, certain
adults and older children with esodeviations of
between 75 and 100, particularly with limited
forced abduction usually from longstanding strabis-
mus can benefit from a bimedial 7 mm rectus reces-
sion (11.5 mm from the limbus) and a 10 mm bilater-
al lateral rectus resection. Four muscle surgery
should ordinarily be limited to these maximum
numbers.
Horizontal rectus surgery for
exotropia
Single muscle surgery for exotropia:
Single lateral rectus recession or single medial
rectus resection. A single lateral rectus recession or
a single medial rectus resection for treatment of
exotropia is rarely indicated. However, certain
patients who have a very small incomitant exotropia
and who have fusion potential, often with head turn,
can be helped by this procedure. These patients are
rare. In my experience, this condition is usually
caused by insufficient initial surgery in which only
one lateral rectus muscle was recessed. In such a
case, either the medial rectus should be resected or
the lateral rectus recessed to produce the most nearly
comitant results. The findings on versions and duc-
tions, as well as prism and cover measurements in the
lateral versions, indicate what need be done to
achieve comitance. For example, a tight lateral rectus
after a recession and resection for esotropia or a case
111
Chapter 4

of exotropic Duane syndrome might be treated with a
single lateral rectus recession to relieve a small angle
of exotropia. Usually no more than 15 of deviation
can be corrected with single muscle surgery for
exotropia. An exception would be a larger correction
obtained in case of advancement of a slipped muscle.
Two-muscle surgery for exotropia:
Bilateral lateral rectus recession. A minimum
bilateral lateral rectus recession of 5 mm will correct
approximately 20 to 25 of exotropia. A maximum
bilateral lateral rectus recession of 8+ mm can correct
up to 50 of exotropia. The same angle would be cor-
rected if the deviation were either manifest or latent.
Bilateral lateral rectus recession is a common strabis-
mus surgical procedure.
Bimedial rectus resection. Strengthening and
weakening procedures of the extraocular muscles
mainly improve ocular alignment while maintaining
or creating comitance. These procedures do not ordi-
narily influence vergences. Nevertheless, certain
patients demonstrating intractable convergence
insufficiency not helped by near point exercises or
other orthoptic treatment may be helped some with a
bimedial rectus resection. A 5 to 7 mm bimedial rec-
tus resection can be considered reasonable treatment
for a convergence insufficiency measuring between
12 and 25 of exotropia at near and with less or no
exotropia in the distance and with a remote near point
of convergence. Bimedial resection for convergence
insufficiency can result in esotropia in the distance as
the price for relieving near symptoms.
Intermittent exotropia persisting after bilateral
lateral rectus recession with a significant exodevia-
tion at distance and at near can also be treated with a
bimedial rectus resection. In such a case, a minimum
5 mm bimedial rectus resection can correct approxi-
mately 20 of exotropia. A maximum 10+ mm bilat-
eral medial rectus resection can correct up to 40 of
exotropia.
Lateral rectus recession with medial rectus resec-
tion. A minimum recession-resection procedure for
exotropia is 5 mm lateral rectus recession and 5 mm
medial rectus resection. This approach will correct
approximately 20 to 25 of exotropia and produce
about the same reduction in the exotropia in the dis-
tance and at near. A maximum recession-resection
procedure for exotropia is 8 to 10 mm lateral rectus
recession and 10+ mm medial rectus resection. This
procedure would be expected to correct up to 50 of
exotropia.
The majority of exotropic patients, in my experi-
ence, have basic exotropia (same exotropia distance
and near) or simulated divergence excess exotropia
(near exotropia equal to or nearly equal to distance
exotropia after several hours occlusion of one eye).
For this reason, a recession-resection procedure is
arguably the most logical procedure. However, to
avoid the necessity of resecting the medial rectus
muscle, a procedure which may produce a reddened
conjunctiva and sometimes limited abduction, it is
common for the surgeon to choose a bilateral lateral
rectus recession in most cases of intermittent
exotropia.
A recession-resection procedure is an effective
and predictable way to alter the alignment of the eyes
to produce cosmetic as well as functional improve-
ment. Surgically induced incomitance is infrequent
and is not usually significant when it does occur. This
incomitance can be of benefit for patients treated for
convergence insufficiency because it allows them to
find an area of fusion at near and at distance, even
when a small overcorrection occurs, by assuming a
face-turn.
Three-muscle surgery for exotropia:
A maximum bilateral lateral rectus recession of 8
to 10 mm combined with a maximum medial rectus
resection of 10+ mm in one eye will correct up to 75
of exotropia. To correct deviations between 50 and
75 maximum, three muscle surgery is reduced by
0.5 to 1 mm per muscle.
Four-muscle surgery for exotropia:
A maximum 8 to 10 mm bilateral lateral rectus
recession combined with a maximum 10+ mm bime-
dial rectus recession will correct 90 to 100 of
exotropia. If four muscle surgery is indicated for
exotropia, a maximum approach is usually done.

112

Vertical rectus surgery
Single muscle surgery on the vertical rectus mus-
cles can be effective and predictable in most cases.
This is in contrast to single muscle surgery on the hor-
izontal rectus muscles which is less effective and less
predictable. A minimum 2.5 mm recession or resec-
tion of either the superior or inferior rectus will pro-
duce approximately 8 of deviation reduction in the
primary position. This results in slightly more cor-
rection in the field of action of the muscle after reces-
sion and in the field of action of the antagonist after
resection. A 5 mm recession or resection of a vertical
rectus muscle will produce up to 15 of reduction in
the primary position deviation and slightly more in
the field of action of the muscle or of the antagonist.
A combined recession-resection of the vertical recti
corrects with minimum numbers 15 and with maxi-
mum numbers 25 to 30 of deviation in the primary
position. The normal maximums for recession and
resection of the inferior rectus can be exceeded in
patients who demonstrate restriction on testing with
forced ductions from such causes as thyroid myopa-
thy, old blowout fractures, fibrosis syndrome, or pre-
Workup of the strabismus patient
vious surgery. In selected cases, the inferior rectus
can be resected up to 10 mm and recessed up to 10
mm or even more. With recession of the inferior rec-
tus, the intermuscular membrane should be dissected
to at least 10 mm from the insertion and Lockwood's
ligament can also be brought forward to avoid lower
lid ptosis.
I have performed a free tenotomy of the inferi-
or rectus with minimal dissection of the intermuscu-
lar membrane in patients with severe thyroid myopa-
thy affecting the inferior rectus. This has produced
marked improvement in motility. A drawback is the
ptosis of the lower lid resulting in 2 to 3 mm widen-
ing of the palpebral fissure. This lower lid ptosis is
less objectionable if the procedure is done bilaterally.
These large recessions may be carried out more pre-
dictably using an adjustable suture. However, the
inferior rectus is susceptible to early or late slippage
resulting in overcorrection because of the destabiliz-
ing effect of the inferior oblique, Lockwoods, and
the lower lid retractors.
I have performed 9 mm resections of the inferior
rectus without causing significant narrowing of the
palpebral fissure. It should be emphasized, however,
that patients should be selected very carefully before
exceeding the usual limits of recession and resection
on the inferior rectus. The superior rectus should not
ordinarily be resected more than 5 mm. Ptosis
involving the upper lid is easier to produce, harder to
avoid, and cosmetically more objectionable than sim-
ilar displacement of the lower lid.
If the surgeon takes care when dissecting the
intermuscular membrane and does not cut the superi-
or oblique tendon, the superior rectus may be
recessed 10 mm or more without causing bothersome
retraction of the upper lid. When this very large supe-
rior rectus recession is carried out, it is usually for
treatment of dissociated vertical deviation. If the
superior rectus muscle is recessed more than 6 to 8
mm, theoretically it must be placed behind the supe-
rior oblique tendon as it passes beneath the superior
rectus muscle between the insertion of the superior
oblique and the trochlea. Most surgeons who claim to
perform large superior rectus recessions do so with
the hang-loose procedure. However, it cannot be
guaranteed that the muscle will adhere to a given spot
on the globe when a hang-loose suture is used.
However, those surgeons who prefer this technique
claim to have confirmed satisfactory position of the
recessed superior rectus at reoperation. When recess-
ing a rectus muscle, I prefer to suture the muscle to
the globe at the determined spot to assure accurate
postoperative muscle placement. However, Repka,
et. al. have shown reliable muscle placement after
hang-loose recession of the horizontal recti.
113
Chapter 4
Surgery of the oblique muscles
Superior oblique weakening:
Tenotomy of the superior oblique muscle pro-
duces approximately 5 to 15 reduction in the
hypodeviation in the primary position and slightly
greater reduction in the field of action of the muscle.
This procedure may be graded somewhat by shifting
the site of the tenotomy closer to the insertion for less
effect or closer to the trochlea for more effect. It may
also be graded with a guard suture which in effect
produces a hang-loose tendon lengthening. This was
called a chicken suture by Phil Knapp. A hang
loose superior oblique tendon weakening can also be
done from the insertion. If a tenectomy is done, the
degree of weakening of the superior oblique is prob-
ably not affected by the amount of tendon removed
but instead by the proximity of the nasal margin of the
tenectomy to the trochlea. The fascia in the vicinity
of the superior oblique tendon should be left as undis-
turbed as possible when doing a superior oblique
tenotomy in order to achieve more predictable results.
In practice, unilateral superior oblique weakening is
seldom performed except in the case of Brown syn-
drome or superior oblique myokymia. Wright
devised a system for weakening the superior oblique
employing a silicone spacer. Bilateral superior
oblique weakening is more common and is discussed
in the section on surgery for A and V patterns (see
chapter 16). In practice, bilateral weakening of the
superior oblique tends to have greater effect in larger
deviations and less effect in smaller deviations.
Superior oblique strengthening:
Strengthening of the superior oblique by a tuck at
its insertion produces up to 15 reduction in the
hyperdeviation in the primary position and a similar
reduction in the hyperdeviation in the field of action
of this muscle if the tuck is done properly producing
normal symmetric tendon tension. The amount of the
114
superior oblique that should be tucked depends on
how lax or redundant the tendon is at the time of sur-
gery. This is determined by the superior oblique trac-
tion test (see page 95). This test should be done in
both eyes during every procedure for superior oblique
over or under action. It is done even if other muscles
are treated. During surgery the tendon is brought up
into the tucker or it is tucked free hand until the ten-
don feels taut; at this point the tuck is secured but
with a loop that allows for adjustment. The superior
oblique traction test is then repeated. The tuck is then
adjusted, if needed, and secured when the traction test
is equal to or slightly tighter in the treated compared
to the normal fellow eye. The size of the tuck may
vary from 6 to 20 mm or more, but it is always dic-
tated by the preoperative tendon laxity and the
desired result is an equal or nearly equal superior
oblique traction test. Tuck of a superior oblique ten-
don done in the presence of a normal or tight traction
test preoperatively or performing too large a tuck of a
lax tendon will result in an unwanted iatrogenic
Brown.
Resection of the superior oblique tendon may be
accomplished at the insertion in a similar amount to
the tuck. In our experience, an effective superior
oblique tuck or resection produces some Brown syn-
drome or mechanical restriction to elevation in
adduction, at least in the early postoperative period.
Strengthening of the superior oblique is usually per-
formed in superior oblique palsy of the type which
has recently been re-classified as congenital versus
acquired. Of these two, the congenital palsies have
been shown to have a high rate of abnormalities of the
tendon. In most cases these are seen as a redundant
tendon. With a loose tendon, a tuck or any other
strengthening procedure is safe and effective (see
chapter 16).
Anterior shift of the superior oblique:
The intorting power of the superior oblique may
be enhanced by moving all or part of the effective
insertion anteriorly and temporally. This is called the
Harada-Ito procedure. In my experience, superior
oblique tuck or resection improves both the torsional
and vertical deviation. However, when a large tor-
sional deviation of 10 to 15 degrees is present in a
patient who has a small vertical deviation, anterior
shift is a useful surgical tool. Anterior shift has been
done with an adjustable suture technique but this has
not become a popular procedure. Selective disinser-
tion of posterior tendon fibers weakens the depressor
effect of the superior oblique, while selective disin-
sertion of the anterior fibers weakens intorsion.
 Workup of the strabismus patient

Surgery for vertically incomitant

horizontal strabismus (A and V
patterns)
A more or less fixed amount of surgery is per-
formed to treat vertical incomitance. This is accom-
Inferior oblique weakening: plished by shifting the horizontal rectus insertions
Weakening of the inferior oblique muscle results appropriately upward or downward or by weakening
in 5 to 10 reduction in hyperdeviation in the pri- overacting oblique muscles.
mary position and up to 20 less hyperdeviation in
the field of action of this muscle. Inferior oblique
weakening procedures may be graded, but the value
of this is not firmly established. When a recession is
performed it is usually + 8 mm. Disinsertion merely
frees the muscle from its insertion. With a myectomy,
a 5 to 8 mm segment of muscle is excised a few mil-
limeters below the inferior border of the lateral rectus Bilateral inferior oblique myectomy for treating
in the inferior temporal quadrant. Marginal or incom- a V pattern produces on the average 20 less
plete myotomy (single or multiple) of the inferior exotropia or more esotropia in upgaze. Bilateral
oblique in the inferior temporal quadrant, in my opin- superior oblique tenotomy for treating an A pattern
ion, is not effective. Some surgeons believe that this produces from 7 to 70 less exodeviation or more
surgery is an effective weakening procedure. esodeviation in downgaze. The average change of
Denervation with extirpation of the inferior oblique alignment in downgaze after bilateral superior
seems to be an unnecessarily complicated and exten- oblique tenotomy is approximately 30. With a fixed
sive way to treat a problem that already has a safe, amount of either inferior or superior oblique weaken-
simple, and effective solution although some prefer ing, more effect is produced in large A or V patterns
this procedure in cases of maximum inferior oblique and less effect in small A or V patterns. This effect
overaction. A modification of inferior oblique weak- represents a type of built-in safety factor for this sur-
ening is anterior transposition. This technique weak- gery. Bilateral superior oblique weakening proce-
ens the inferior oblique as much as myectomy or 8.0 dures produce approximately 6 of eso shift in the
mm recession. In addition, it seems to tether the eye primary position. Bilateral inferior oblique weaken-
and reduce the hyperdeviation or sursumduction in ing procedures produce little, if any, horizontal
patients with DVD. Anterior transposition of the change in the primary position.
inferior oblique is indicated in cases of DVD with
overaction of the inferior oblique and V pattern.
This procedure should only be done bilaterally. If
done in one eye, a restrictive hypotropia in upgaze is
produced causing a secondary deviation.
Inferior oblique strengthening:
Strengthening procedures of the inferior oblique,
in my experience, are seldom effective for treating
vertical misalignment; therefore, no figures can be
given for expected correction. If a tuck is performed,
no less than 10 mm of the muscle should be included.
If resection and advancement are undertaken, approx-
imately 5 mm of the muscle should be resected and
the muscle should be advanced 5 mm. I have done
this once or twice in nearly 40 years. Recession of
the yoke, contralateral superior rectus, is probably the
most effective treatment for the rare case of inferior The horizontal rectus muscles may be shifted
oblique palsy. one-half to one muscle width upward or downward.
This produces 10 to 15, or more change in larger
patterns of A or V. The medial rectus muscles are
always moved in the direction of the apex of the A
or V and the lateral rectus muscles are always
moved toward the open end of the A or V. Vertical
shift of the horizontal rectus muscles may be accom-
plished with symmetric surgery (bilateral recession or

115
Chapter 4
resections) or when a recession-resection is per-
formed. The horizontal rectus muscles also may be
moved vertically without recession or resection in
cases of A or V pattern without oblique dysfunc-
tion and when no horizontal deviation is present in
the primary position.
Horizontal shift of the vertical rectus muscles
can be done for treatment of A and V patterns. To
decrease an esodeviation, the vertical recti are shifted
temporally and to decrease an exodeviation, the verti-
cal recti are shifted nasally. For example, temporal
shift of the inferior rectus muscles can be done in V
pattern esotropia in patients without a deviation in the
primary position and without oblique muscle dys-
function. The best use of this information is when
recessing the inferior rectus in thyroid disease. Nasal
shift of these muscles is done to avoid the postopera-
tive unwanted A pattern.
The faden operation (posterior
fixation suture)
The so-called faden operation should be called
posterior fixation suture or retroequatorial myopexy.
This procedure has become a regular part of the sur-
gical armamentarium for many strabismus surgeons.
It was performed initially for treating the nystagmus
blockage syndrome as suggested by Cppers. Peters
described essentially the same procedure earlier, but
it did not catch on. Expanded use of the posterior fix-
ation suture includes any condition in which a sec-
ondary deviation will promote comitance. This pro-
cedure weakens a muscle in its field of action but has
little effect, at least theoretically, on the primary posi-
tion deviation or the action of the antagonist of the
operated muscle. In cases of esotropia with nystag-
mus blockage, the posterior fixation suture is per-
formed alone or is combined with appropriate reces-
sion of the medial rectus muscles. Results of this sur-
gery are good, according to some, but when this pro-
cedure is combined with a recession it is difficult to
know which part of the procedure affects the devia-
tion.
Adjustable suture
I use an adjustable suture, when indicated, on
any of the rectus muscles and have attempted it with-
out success in a few cases involving the superior
oblique tendon. Indications for use of an adjustable
suture are (1) restrictive strabismus in a patient with
fusion potential (the patient with thyroid ophthal-
mopathy may be the prime example of such a
patient); (2) any strabismus in which the outcome of
surgery cannot be readily predicted (including
patients who had previous unsuccessful surgery); and
(3) when this technique is expected to produce better
results according to the surgeons experience.
116
While patients with mechanical restriction and
fusion potential are prime candidates for an
adjustable suture, fusion potential and diplopia are
not absolute requirements. Cases not suitable for an
adjustable suture are congenital esotropia, intermit-
tent exotropia (some may disagree), dissociated verti-
cal deviation, any inferior oblique surgery, and sur-
gery for convergence insufficiency, etc.
An adjustable medial rectus recession may be
combined with a muscle transfer procedure for treat-
ment of sixth nerve palsy. Some patients may be
adjusted at surgery on the table when local anesthet-
ic is used, in the recovery room, or in the clinic on the
day following surgery. I have heard one very experi-
enced surgeon describe adjustment done more than a
week later! The alignment after adjustment may
remain stable or the alignment may shift over time
postoperatively, but this can occur with any type of
strabismus surgery.
Adjustable sutures are useful, but they are only a
small part of my surgical scheme. Some fine strabis-
mus surgeons use an adjustable suture in nearly every
case of rectus muscle surgery. Other surgeons never
use an adjustable suture! Take your choice. When
used, I prefer the tandem adjustable suture (see page
259).
Extraocular muscle transfer
Extraocular muscle transfer procedures are indi-
cated in complete or near-complete paralysis of a rec-
tus muscle. Passive ductions must be free before the
transfer is done if optimal results are expected. The
usual procedure in muscle transfer is to shift the
insertion of the two antagonist rectus muscles to a
point at or near the insertion of the paretic rectus mus-
cle lying between them. The shift can be carried out
in some fashion to make up for a paretic medial rec-
tus, superior rectus, inferior rectus, or lateral rectus
muscle. Superior oblique tendon transfer is more dif-
ficult to perform and frequently less effective. It is
usually done to reduce the exodeviation in third nerve
palsy. Botox, injection of the antagonist of the paret-
ic muscle can be done in conjunction with a full ten-
don transfer. Although rare, anterior segment
ischemia can occur when three rectus muscles are
detached. Therefore, we like to avoid removing any
extra rectus muscles; Botox can help with this.
Botox injection
Botox injection remains a viable option for sev-
eral categories of strabismus. We use it for some
cases of thyroid ophthalmopathy, persistent, residual,
or secondary strabismus, some small-angle devia-
tions, and in cases where the patient does not wish to
have further incisional surgery. We do not use Botox
for congenital-infantile esotropia or intermittent
exotropia. Alan Scott has suggested that Botox will

be useful for about 15% of strabismus patients. I use
it in 3% of cases. A few surgeons use Botox for treat-
ment of congenital esotropia and claim good results.
John Lee of Moorfields in London has more experi-
ence than anyone I know of when it comes to use of
Botox for strabismus and he employs it successfully
in a wide variety of cases. Emilio Campos has report-
ed good results after treatment of congenital esotropia
with Botox, but this method of treatment is not used
widely.
Summary of steps 1 & 2 in the
design of strabismus surgery
When an accurate workup has been completed
and a pertinent history recorded, the surgeon should
possess sufficient knowledge of the patient and the
strabismus problem to have certain treatment goals in
mind. In addition, the surgeon should also have real-
istic expectations of the results that could be expect-
ed from surgery. That is, the surgeon should know
approximately how much change in ocular alignment
is expected with muscle strengthening, weakening, or
transfer procedures appropriate for the patients stra-
bismus. It is the union of these two factors, 1) patient
findings and 2) results to be expected from surgery,
that enables the surgeon to design each surgical pro-
cedure specifically for each patient. This combina-
tion of clinical findings and results expected is made
more sensitive by the application of certain rules that
help the surgeon predict how certain types of patients
may respond to strabismus surgery and how selected
variables could affect the outcome.
It should be re-emphasized here that orthoptic,
optical, and to a lesser degree, pharmacologic therapy
can be an alternative and in selected cases a better
option than surgical therapy for strabismus in select-
ed patients provided these nonsurgical methods result
in comfortable fusion and the accompanying accept-
able appearance. Surgery to restore ocular alignment
or to enable enhanced binocularity including fusion
should be reserved for patients who cannot be helped
by other nonsurgical means alone.
Step 3: Guidelines for
application of surgical options
The third component in the design of the surgical
procedure joins Step 1 (the workup) and Step 2 (sur-
gical options). The following aphorisms may be
applied to help produce a successful union between
the patient and his or her surgical plan:
1. If fusion is now or has ever been present, a
cure with fusion may be expected. A slight
overcorrection may help obtain this result.
2. If no fusion potential is present, a slight
undercorrection is more likely to produce a
stable, small angle residual deviation.
Workup of the strabismus patient
3. The surgeon should aim at a cure with first
surgery, provided there are sufficient muscles
to operate on without causing complications
such as anterior segment ischemia.
4. Because no procedure is ever 100% success-
ful, patients (parents) should be given a rea-
sonable estimate of the likelihood that a sec-
ond procedure will be required.
5. The surgeon should strive toward judicious
boldness and not be excessively fearful of
producing an overcorrection.
6. If the surgeon is doing the proper amount of
surgery, he or she should expect some over-
corrections and should not produce an exces-
sive number of undercorrections with regard
to intended results. For example, if a surgeon
aims at a 5 undercorrection, a patient who is
ortho in the early postoperative period repre-
sents a relative overcorrection.
7. More effect is produced per millimeter of
recession or resection by strabismus surgery
in a child or in a patient with a small eye; less
effect is produced by strabismus surgery in an
adult or in a patient with a large eye.
8. More effect is gained from strabismus sur-
gery on a recent deviation than on a long-
standing deviation.
9. Surgery for a small deviation (25) pro-
duces less effect per millimeter of surgery
than that for a large deviation (50).
10. In patients with cerebral palsy and strabis-
mus, the more cephalad the neurologic
involvement, the longer surgery should be
delayed. Patients with only limb involvement
in which the cranial nerves are spared may be
treated as otherwise normal strabismic chil-
dren.
11. In partially accommodative esotropia, only
the nonaccommodative part of the deviation
should be treated surgically.
12. One 4 mm medial rectus recession corrects
approximately 13 of esotropia.
13. Conjunctival recession is performed when
conjunctival scarring causes restricted move-
ment or unsightly appearance.
14. A minimal recession-resection for either
esotropia or exotropia produces approximate-
ly 25 reduction in the esodeviation or
exodeviation.
15. A maximum recession-resection procedure
for either esotropia or exotropia produces
approximately 50 reduction in the esodevia-
tion or exodeviation.
16. Three muscle surgery for esotropia or
exotropia may be required for deviations
between 50 and 75.
17. Four muscle surgery for either esotropia or
117
Chapter 4
exotropia may be required for deviations
greater than 75 but rarely is performed in
children.
18. Esodeviations or exodeviations greater than
50 in a patient with very poor vision in one
eye should be treated with a supermaximal
recession-resection of one eye to avoid sur-
gery on the better eye.
19. Surgery for esotropia in a hyperkinetic child
produces less effect than the same amount of
surgery in a placid child.
20. Residual esotropia after a bimedial rectus
recession that had been performed several
years before may be treated with re-recession
or a marginal myotomy of one previously
recessed medial rectus and a resection of one
lateral rectus if the deviation is 25. This
procedure should be bilateral if the deviation
is 50. For deviations between 30 and
50, a resection of the lateral rectus alone
may be performed in the second eye.
21. Residual esotropia occurring weeks to
months after a bimedial rectus recession
should be treated with a bilateral lateral rectus
resection or a re-recession of the already
recessed medial rectus muscles.
22. A double 80% marginal myotomy combined
with a resection of the antagonist produces
the same weakening effect as a maximum
recession of that muscle. A marginal myoto-
my without resection of the antagonist is a
less effective procedure.
23. Secondary exotropia after medial rectus
recession that demonstrates deficient adduc-
tion can be treated with medial rectus resec-
tion and advancement.
24. A bilateral lateral rectus recession is per-
formed for exotropia less than 40 that is
greater at distance with excess abduction and
equal vision.
25. Exotropic patients who have lateral incomi-
tance - that is, who have less exodeviation in
lateral versions - tend to be overcorrected
more easily than patients whose exodeviation
is the same in the primary position as in later-
al versions.
26. Exotropic patients who have had extensive
preoperative orthoptics, especially near point
of convergence exercises, are prone to large
overcorrections after surgery.
27. The choice of muscles to be operated in the
surgical treatment of intermittent exotropia is
indicated by the pattern of deviation.
Divergence excess exotropia is treated with
bilateral lateral rectus recession; basic
exotropia and simulated divergence excess
exotropia are treated with a recession of the
lateral rectus and a resection of the medial
118
rectus or with bilateral lateral rectus reces-
sion. Convergence insufficiency is treated
with bimedial rectus recession or recession-
resection, in one eye.
28. The timing of surgery for intermittent
exotropia is dictated by how often the devia-
tion is manifested rather than the deviation
measurement.
29. Once surgery has been decided on for a
patient with intermittent exotropia, the
amount of surgery is dictated solely by the
angle of the deviation and is in no way influ-
enced by the amount of time deviation is
either latent or manifest.
30. Bilateral inferior oblique myectomy produces
20 less exotropia or more esotropia in
upgaze with no significant change of the
alignment in the primary position or in
downgaze.
31. Unequal bilateral overaction of the inferior
obliques causing a V pattern should be treat-
ed with an equal weakening procedure on the
inferior obliques. If only the more overacting
inferior oblique is weakened, a markedly
unequal overaction of the obliques with the
non-operated muscle becoming much more
overactive may occur postoperatively.
32. Bilateral superior oblique tenotomy produces
a decrease in exotropia in downgaze between
7 and 70. The average change is 30. The
smaller the A, the less the change in
downgaze; the more the A, the greater the
change in downgaze.
33. Vertical shift of the horizontal rectus muscles
for A and V patterns is accomplished as
follows: the medial rectus muscles are shift-
ed toward the apex of the A or V; e.g. up
in A pattern and down in V pattern.
Lateral rectus muscles are moved toward the
open end of the pattern; e.g. downward in A
pattern and upward in V pattern. Vertical
shift of the horizontal rectus muscles (one-
half to one muscle width) produces approxi-
mately 10 to 15 change in the A and V
pattern. The greater the vertical incomitance,
the more the effect.
34. Horizontal shift of the vertical recti for treat-
ment of A and V is done by shifting the
muscles temporally to treat esodeviation and
nasally to treat exodeviation.
35. Acquired non-traumatic, small angle superior
oblique palsy in an older patient should be
evaluated according to the patient's needs.
This can be treated with prisms or patching
for 4 to 6 months, and, if necessary, can be
treated surgically. A medical workup should
be done.
36. Bilateral superior oblique palsy frequently

causes cyclotropia and cyclodiplopia that is
measured at 15 degrees or greater with the
double Maddox rod test. These patients typi-
cally have a chin down, eyes up head posture
to obtain fusion or wear an eye patch.
37. When a large horizontal deviation and a small
vertical deviation exist in a patient with no
fusion potential only the horizontal deviation
is treated surgically.
38. A small vertical deviation in a patient with
diplopia and fusion potential may be treated
with surgery and/or prisms.
39. An unacceptable vertical deviation with or
without fusion potential is treated surgically
by operating on the appropriate vertically act-
ing muscles. The vertical rectus muscles
have more effect on the primary position
deviation than do the obliques.
40. Brown's superior oblique tendon sheath syn-
drome is treated surgically only if a cosmeti-
cally unacceptable vertical strabismus or
abnormal head position is present while the
patient is fixing in the primary position.
41. Lysis of adhesions around an extraocular
muscle is usually ineffective unless it is
accompanied by one or more of the following
procedures: conjunctival recession, traction
suture placement, marginal myotomy, re-
recession, or re-resection.
42. Replacing tight or scarred conjunctiva to its
preoperative position can nullify the results of
otherwise potentially successful strabismus
surgery.
43. When there is a doubt about whether restrict-
ed motility could be caused by scarred con-
junctiva, a conjunctival recession should be
performed, leaving bare sclera.
44. Long-term traction sutures should be
anchored securely in the sclera or placed in
the horizontal rectus insertions to avoid
unnecessary contact with the cornea. They
should be tied over a bolster and left in place
for several days and watched carefully with
the eye fixed in the duction opposite the
restriction several degrees past the midline.
45. The functional improvement of straight eyes
after surgery is compromised when red,
unsightly scars remain in the conjunctiva.
One should always attempt to retain a normal,
white conjunctiva postoperatively. If this
cannot be accomplished otherwise, conjuncti-
val recession and/or excision should be per-
formed.
46. Manifest DVD may be treated surgically by
recessing one or both superior rectus muscles
and if the DVD persists resection of one or
both inferior recti should be done.
Workup of the strabismus patient
47. DVD with overaction of the inferior obliques
and V pattern is effectively treated with
bilateral anterior transposition of the inferior
obliques.
48. Congenital superior oblique palsy frequently
demonstrates no torsional response when test-
ing with the double Maddox rod test. In addi-
tion, spontaneous torsional diplopia is not
observed. Acquired superior oblique palsy
that is unilateral usually demonstrates torsion
with the double Maddox rod test but does not
produce spontaneous torsional diplopia. The
torsion measured in unilateral superior
oblique palsy is less than 15. Both congeni-
tal and acquired superior oblique palsy are
frequently associated with an abnormal head
posture. Bilateral superior oblique palsy
causes torsional diplopia and torsion greater
than 15 degrees with the double Maddox rod
test. When greater than 15 degrees of tor-
sional diplopia is found, the diagnosis is bilat-
eral superior oblique palsy unless ruled other-
wise. In addition, a spontaneous complaint of
torsional diplopia is bilateral superior oblique
palsy unless ruled out.
49. The superior oblique muscle is the most com-
monly occurring anomalous extraocular mus-
cle. If superior oblique palsy that is congeni-
tal is also associated with amblyopia, hori-
zontal strabismus, anomalous structure or
even absence of the superior oblique tendon
should be suspected.
50. Superior oblique palsy with facial asymmetry
is likely to be congenital and to have an
anomalous tendon. The larger face is
always on the side of the paretic superior
oblique. The smaller side of the face may
be characterized by a smaller distance
between the lateral canthus and the corner of
the mouth.
51. Superior rectus recession has virtually no
effect on the palpebral fissure; superior rectus
resection is likely to narrow the fissure.
52. Inferior rectus recession can significantly
widen the palpebral fissure and inferior rectus
resection can narrow the palpebral fissure.
53. Inferior rectus recession is commonly associ-
ated with slippage leading to excessive reces-
sion, especially in thyroid eye disease.
Each surgeon should add his or her own person-
al guidelines for strabismus surgery to this list and
should delete from this list those aphorisms that do
not apply to his or her experience.
119
Chapter 4
Step 4: Surgical technique
For successful strabismus surgery, the surgeon
should adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Know the anatomy of all of the extraocular
muscles and the surrounding fascial planes.
2. Carry out sharp dissection carefully. Avoid
blunt dissection.
3. Respect the conjunctiva, paying special atten-
tion medially to the proper position of the
caruncle and the plica semilunaris.
4. Observe strict hemostasis.
5. Keep tissue moist, but not flooded, with a
physiologic salt solution.
6. Use appropriate magnification and proper
illumination assists with visualization.
Step 5: Follow-up of the
surgical patient
During the postoperative follow-up, the surgeon
should:
1. Follow the patient postoperatively according to
a regular scheme and according to each
patient's unique needs. For example, my rou-
tine for congenital esotropia is to see children
1 week and 8 weeks postoperatively and then
as needed with at least two additional visits in
the first year after surgery. Additional exami-
nations are scheduled as needed.
2. Answer promptly (or have a physician familiar
with the case) any call about a patient during
the first week to 10 days after eye muscle sur-
gery, as if you suspected an infection. Be sure
that office personnel are familiar with this pol-
icy.
3. Watch for amblyopia. Check visual acuity by
the best means possible at each postoperative
visit. Institute amblyopia therapy promptly, if
needed.
4. Use prisms as needed, employing either
Fresnel or permanent prism.
5. Use glasses or miotics as needed.
6. Do not procrastinate if reoperation is indicated.
Treatment of amblyopia
The use of occlusion for treatment of amblyopia
in infancy before surgical treatment of congenital
esotropia can be quick and effective. After a few days
or weeks of occlusion, amblyopia can be eliminated
in favorable cases and alternate fixation achieved. On
the other hand, improperly applied, overzealous
occlusion can produce amblyopia in the formerly pre-
ferred eye of the very young child. von Noorden sug-
gests an occlusion ratio of 2, 3, or 4 days of occlusion
for the sound eye and one day occlusion for the
amblyopic eye with the caveat that one eye is occlud-
ed at all times. In addition to reducing the likelihood
120
of occlusion amblyopia, this program which occludes
one eye at all times maintains a positive environment
for development of best acuity by eliminating any
need for suppression. Occlusion for treatment of
amblyopia is an important immediate antecedent of
surgical therapy. Surgery is performed in most cases
after free alternation has been established.
Another scheme for amblyopia treatment is
occlusion of the sound eye during all of the waking
hours combined with daily observation of the fixation
pattern by the parents. Parents are instructed to begin
alternate patching if they observe free alternation and
to continue this regimen until surgery. The important
points to remember are that occlusion amblyopia can
be produced quite rapidly in the infant and that sup-
pression does not occur if one eye is occluded. When
patching is restricted to the preferred eye, careful
observation of the amblyopic infant should be main-
tained and alternate patching started when the child
alternates fixation. This is continued until surgery is
performed. Some prefer alternate day patching even
in alternating strabismus to avoid anomalous binocu-
lar relationships. According to this theory, it is better
to perform surgery with a more or less clean slate.
This scheme has no beneficial effect on motor
response. A positive effect on sensory results has yet
to be proven. Amblyopia treatment in the older child
is not so intimately related to timing and techniques
of surgery.
In recent national collaborative studies carried
out by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group
(PEDIG), shorter periods of occlusion and as an alter-
native treatment atropine penalization have been
shown to be as effective as prescribed full-time occlu-
sion. From these results it can be inferred that patch-
ing prescribed as full time is often carried out less rig-
orously than patients report. This has been corrobo-
rated by electronic patch time monitoring. These
PEDIG studies compared line of improvement, but
did not require free alternation as the end point.
Refraction
Refraction is carried out in infants under 1 year
of age, 20 to 40 minutes after instillation of one or
two drops of 0.5% cyclopentolate hydrochloride
(Cyclogyl) in each eye. After 1 year of age, 1%
Cyclogyl is used. In heavily pigmented children, 1%
atropine solution is used by parents at home begin-
ning 3 days before the examination with a total of
four drops being instilled in each eye. These parents
are always warned of the signs of atropine systemic
effects of flushing, fever, and hyperactive behavior.
To avoid these problems, parents should use only one
drop in each eye and should occlude the puncta for 30
seconds after the drops are given to avoid the child's

swallowing the medicine and experiencing systemic
effect. It is also a good idea to put a drop in one eye
in the morning and in the second eye in the afternoon
to further reduce the chance of an unwanted systemic
effect. If it would be difficult for a patient to return
for a second visit for an atropine refraction, we add
phenylephrine HCL 2.5% drops and repeat the
Cyclogyl one or two times at 5- and 15- to 20-minute
intervals, respectively. However, we are satisfied that
Cyclogyl is adequate to determine refractive errors in
most infants and children. We do not use 2%
Cyclogyl because of concern about dose-related toxi-
city.
Spectacle prescription
Treatment of hyperopia with spectacles in the
esotropic infant can identify refractive esotropia in a
child as young as 6 months. Spectacles should be
prescribed for all esotropic infants and children with
greater than +3.00 refractive error. In some cases,
+3.00 glasses or even plus correction of lesser
strength is given if it is expected to reduce esotropia.
Because this prescription is often not effective and the
child will need surgery anyway and may not wear
glasses afterward, a loaner glasses program can be
instituted. Anticholinesterase drops in lieu of glasses
can be used in these children. This medication can be
used in patients with residual esotropia, particularly if
a slight reduction in the angle will straighten the eyes
sufficiently to produce improved binocular function.
A more difficult problem is the case of a young
child with straight eyes but high hyperopia. For
example, we occasionally see a child of 2 or 3 years
of age with +4.00 hyperopia or greater and straight
eyes. No definitive treatment regimen is appropriate
in all cases, but some guidelines can be established:
(1) if any esodeviation latent or intermittent is detect-
ed, glasses should be given or at least considered; (2)
if glasses are considered but not given, the parents
should be instructed to watch for and report any
esotropia and an early follow-up appointment should
be given; (3) if visual acuity is reduced in both eyes
or if in the case of high hyperopia bilateral ametropic
amblyopia is suspected, glasses should be given;
(4) the higher the hyperopia, the greater the need for
Workup of the strabismus patient
glasses; and (5) patients with high or relatively high
hyperopic refractive error will eventually require
glasses.
Timing of surgical treatment
After deciding at what age the infant suspected
of having strabismus is first seen and how amblyopia
and refractive errors are to be managed, the timing of
surgery must be considered. Unless one avoids see-
ing children early and/or opposes early surgery on
theoretical grounds, any delay between completion of
nonsurgical treatment (treatment of amblyopia and
correction of hyperopia) and surgically straightening
the eyes must be defended. More surgeons are now
proceeding to early surgery for congenital esotropia.
Surgical straightening of the eyes is done as soon as
amblyopia has been treated and the refractive-accom-
modative component has been ruled out as the cause
of the esodeviation, in any patient aged six months
and older. Some surgeons, myself included, even
consider four months an appropriate age for surgery
to treat congenital esotropia.
A factor contributing to my enthusiasm for early
surgery is the availability of competent pediatric
anesthesia. Safe pediatric anesthesia includes posi-
tive airway control, use of agents that have a wide
margin of safety, and constant monitoring of heart
rate, oximetry, blood pressure, respiration, tempera-
ture, and expired CO2. In addition, a continuous
intravenous drip ensures required hydration for the
preoperatively starved child. Even more important,
the indwelling intravenous catheter drip allows a
quick and reliable route for the emergency adminis-
tration of medication. In the case of older chil-
dren and adults, the timing of surgery depends for the
most part on the wishes of the patient. When suffi-
cient measurements have been obtained and the devi-
ation has stabilized (as in acute cranial nerve palsy),
surgery is offered to the patient and is scheduled at
the most convenient time.
In adults and in cases of acquired strabismus,
surgery is done when nonsurgical methods have
accomplished all that they can, the patients health
permits, and when the patient wishes.
121

Diagnostic categories and
classifications of strabismus
This chapter offers a comprehensive classifica-
tion of strabismus and then provides a detailed
description of the more common strabismus types
including treatment options. My premise for what
could be an unorthodox way to classify strabismus is
that there are only two kinds of strabismus. These are
congenital esotropia and its sequelae and all the rest!
These two classes of strabismus are divided accord-
ing to the presence or absence of an inborn motor
fusion mechanism (Figure 1).
Claud Worth said that congenital esotropia
results from a defect in the fusion faculty. Whether
this so-called fusion faculty refers to sensory fusion
or motor fusion is not agreed upon by experts.
Sensory fusion is the simultaneous perception of
slightly different images from the two eyes blending
them into a single object. This object is seen in depth.
Motor fusion is the alignment of the visual axes by
action of the muscles so that an object is seen as one
rather than doubled. This image seen as one by virtue
of motor fusion may be seen in depth as a result of
sensory fusion or may not, at least with clinical tests
such as the Polaroid vectograph test used in the clini-
cal setting.
All the rest of the strabismus entities consist of
those who have strabismus, but were born with, or
presumably born with the potential for bifoveal
fusion. In this category of strabismus, fusion is lost
from a variety of causes other than a primary inborn
deficiency in the central motor fusion mechanism.
The individuals in the strabismus category, all the
rest, can be said to have either had the potential for
fusion, but it was lost never to be regained; demon-
strate fusion only part of the time; or appreciate
fusion full time, or nearly so, by assuming a compen-
* Those cases of congenital esotropia who are said to have normal fusion do not, in my opinion, have by definition congenital esotropia.
5
satory head posture. For example, those with con-
genital third nerve palsy, in most cases, never had
normal fusion, but there is no reason to believe this is
why the strabismus is present. On the contrary, motor
fusion never developed or was lost because the eyes
were constantly misaligned because of the cranial
nerve palsy. Individuals with intermittent exotropia
have excellent fusion interspersed with periods of
deep suppression. Patients with Brown syndrome or
Duane syndrome can have a severe motor dysfunc-
tion that the patient responds to by assuming an
anomalous head posture, allowing normal binocular
vision - fusion. The reason for including in all the
rest acquired strabismus such as cranial nerve palsy,
refractive esotropia, and mechanical causes such as
blowout fracture, etc, is obvious.
This more or less arbitrary method of dividing
strabismus has some value in that it helps predict out-
come while guiding treatment. For example, congen-
ital esotropia patients are not expected to have normal
fusion, regardless of timing and type of treatment,
and are subject to a variety of other strabismus con-
ditions, most notable of which is dissociated strabis-
mus.* In contrast, in the all the rest category many
other types of strabismus, depending on severity and
duration, retain the potential for normal or a near nor-
mal sensory result after timely and effective treat-
ment.
Later in Chapter 15 and 16, a wide variety of
examples of strabismus will be presented describing
clinical characteristics, treatment and results. These
will include the more or less naturally occurring types
as well as strabismus from trauma and after prior sur-
gical treatment.
123
Chapter 5

Figure 1 A comprehensive classification of strabismus

124
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Congenital esotropia
The most common form of strabismus is an
esodeviation with onset during infancy occurring in
an otherwise neurologically normal infant. It is
labeled congenital, infantile, or essential infantile
esotropia. These patients can have other physical
signs including face turn and nystagmus. Although
the clinical characteristics of this strabismus entity
have been thoroughly described, many questions
remain about: timing of onset, etiology, terminology,
and treatment outcome. This is understandable
because, for the most part, the earliest stages of this
strabismus have been recorded mostly by parents or
pediatricians. These esotropic infants had not been
subjected to careful study in large numbers in the
past by the ophthalmologist or the basic scientist
studying infant psychophysics.
Now this is changing. The issues surrounding
the causes and early findings in congenital esotropia
are being discussed in a new light. The competing
ideas that congenital esotropia is a primary defect of
the fusion faculty (Worth) or that this condition
develops as the otherwise normal binocular system
is overcome by esotropital factors causing a sec-
ondary esotropia (Chavasse) are being subjected to
scrutiny in the laboratory and the clinic.
Whether the so-called fusion faculty of Worth is
related to sensory fusion or motor fusion has never
been clearly stated, but careful reading of Worth indi-
cates, at least to me, that he was referring to motor
fusion. This suggests that adequate treatment of con-
genital esotropia in the form of surgical realignment
of the eye can improve alignment leading to excellent
appearance and peripheral fusion or subnormal binoc-
ular vision but treatment cannot achieve normal
motor or what depends on normal motor fusion, nor-
mal sensory function.
The theory of Chavasse suggesting that a time-
ly reversal of esotropital factors could result in nor-
mal fusion although not in my opinion correct, was
the impetus for earlier surgery for congenital
esotropia. This was championed by Frank
Costenbader and later Marshall Parks. Their efforts
supported by improved surgical anesthesia, finer
suture, sharper-finer needles, better instruments, and
effective magnification, and carried on by a cadre of
well-trained young strabismologists has resulted in
many ophthalmologists treating congenital esotropia
successfully with surgery at 6 months and even
younger. Some have even claimed near perfect motor
and sensory results in a few cases. These cases
notwithstanding, the best results from treatment of
congenital esotropia seems to be better but not per-
fect and then only with close postoperative follow up
and appropriate intervention.
The terms congenital and infantile have been
vigorously debated mostly because of uncertainty
about the time of onset. The term essential has been
added to make it clear that we do not know the cause
of this esodeviation. A paucity of information about
ocular motility in the normal newborn as well as in
the newborn and infant with early onset esodeviation
left strabismologists with several descriptive terms,
but little understanding of mechanisms.
In the past ten years, new information has
accrued from study of ocular motility in the normal
newborn. In addition, a national collaborative study
of the clinical behavior of esotropic infants beginning
at just a few weeks of life has determined that the
diagnosis of congenital esotropia can be made with
confidence at 4 months. This study also suggests to
me that surgery can be done as early as four months
of age to treat a constant esodeviation. Supported by
this type of information, surgery is now being done
on infants as young as four months and in some cases,
younger. Data generated from this experience has
also provided information about the best treatment
results that can be obtained. Now based on my own
clinical experience and on interpretation of available
clinical and laboratory data, I will present my view of
the broad clinical picture or what I will call congeni-
tal esotropia.
Terminology
The term congenital esotropia was popular-
ized by Costenbader. However, the word congenital
has been challenged because this condition is not con-
firmed at birth, except, in some cases, by parents. In
other words, the esotropia is not conatal, at least as
confirmed by expert observation. To counter this
objection it could be pointed out that other conditions
termed congenital are not necessarily conatal. For
example, so-called congenital subluxation of the hip
is not manifest in most cases until several months
after birth. However, it is arguable to label something
as congenital if the hidden precursor of a later mani-
festing condition is said to be present at birth. This
may be the case with congenital esotropia. As an
alternative, the term infantile esotropia has been
used because it more accurately describes the time of
onset of the esodeviation, that is, during infancy, beg-
ging the question When did the underlying cause
originate? Discouraging use of infantile esotropia,
Lang and Parks defend the term congenital
esotropia. Parks stressed that it is an established
term describing an entity whose clinical characteris-
tics and response to treatment are well known to all
strabismologists.
Supporting use of the term infantile esotropia,
von Noorden said, I prefer...infantile esotropia to
describe a constant deviation with a documented
onset during the first six months of life and add the
prefix essential to emphasize the unknown origin
125
Chapter 5
and to distinguish it from other forms of esotropia
that occur at birth or during infancy. While I could
defend the term infantile esotropia, I am convinced
that affected infants have an inborn defect in motor
fusion.
Is this controversy regarding terminology
important?
The crux of the argument regarding the validity
of the terms congenital versus infantile may
depend on when the initial defect leading to the stra-
bismus occurs, rather than the timing of the manifest
esotropia itself. The question is: Does the infant
who ultimately is diagnosed as congenital or essen-
tial infantile or simply infantile esotropia start life
with the potential for normal binocular vision and
lose it because of acquired motor induced factors, or
does the infant begin life with an inborn lack of nor-
mal binocularity because of a central defect that even-
tually causes an esodeviation by a failure to provide a
template in the central nervous system on which the
normal binocular motor fusion develops? This may
be nothing more than a restatement of the arguments
surrounding the Worth (fusion faculty) versus
Chavasse (motor reflexogenic) theories for the ori-
gins of infantile esotropia.
Whether the esodeviation is called congenital
or infantile may be considered unimportant provided
the etiology remains unknown. On the other hand,
the design of more effective treatment may depend on
better understanding of etiology. von Noorden stated,
If etiology is implied, terminology is important,
and I tend to agree. Hereafter in this section, using
von Noordens argument but coming to a different
conclusion, I will use the term congenital esotropia.
Characteristics
According to results from the Pediatric Eye
Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), congenital
(infantile) esotropia can be confirmed by a reliable
observer by 4 months of age. The minimum required
findings for diagnosis are as follows:*
1. Esotropia--usually 40 to 50 diopters, but
with a range of 10 to 90 prism diopters.
2. Normal neurologic status (except for stra-
bismus)
3. Refractive error expected for age (usually
low to moderate hyperopia), correction of
which does not eliminate esotropia.
4. Asymmetric optokinetic nystagmus charac-
terized by robust temporal to nasal response
and erratic nasal to temporal response.
* An infant with 40 prism diopters or more of constant esotropia at 4 months has a 100% chance of having esotropia at 7 months. If at
4 months the esotropia is less than 40 prism diopters or is intermittent, the likelihood of there being a constant esotropia at 7 months is
70%.
It is unlikely that true overaction of the oblique muscles exists. Instead this could be over expression because of a weak antagonist
or deficient adduction allowing increased expression of the secondary abducting action of the oblique muscles.
126
In addition, it must be noted that the infant has either
alternation, often with cross fixation or fixation pref-
erence for one eye, implying amblyopia. Other com-
mon clinical findings often present but not essential
to the diagnosis are: manifest nystagmus, oblique
muscle dysfunction, dissociated strabismus either
vertical deviation (DVD) or a horizontal deviation,
primarily an exodeviation of one eye (DHD), variable
angle, latent nystagmus, manifest latent nystagmus,
and torticollis.
All patients with congenital esotropia have
compromised sensory functioning because the object
of regard is seen by the fovea of one eye and nasal
retina of the other eye. Stated another way, anatomi-
cally corresponding parts of the visual system will
always be seeing something different. This is the
basis for development of anomalous retinal corre-
spondence, which in my opinion is always harmo-
nious (equal to the objective angle of strabismus) if
tested with a minimally dissociating stimulus. Non-
harmonious anomalous retinal correspondence, in my
opinion, is a testing artifact, but this finding may have
some use as a measure of the depth of adaptation.
Late sequelae of congenital esotropia with and
without treatment include some or all of the follow-
ing: secondary exotropia (large angle, late occur-
ring), DVD, DHD, amblyopia, overaction of the
inferior obliques with V pattern, overaction of the
superior obliques with A pattern, X pattern with the
overaction of all obliques, and recurrent esodeviation
with or without the influence of a refractive or accom-
modative component. Individuals with congenital
esotropia have asymmetric optokinetic nystagmus
characterized by a normal nystagmus beat for nasally
directed targets and an abnormal response to tempo-
rally directed targets both before and after treatment.
Ciancia has also demonstrated a preponderance of
response from crossing (nasal retinal) optic nerve
fibers when comparing hemispheric visually evoked
potential (VEP) response in congenital esotropia.
I have examined several patients with most of
the typical characteristics of congenital esotropia, but
with no esotropia! One patient was seen initially
under a year of age with DVD but normally aligned
eyes. She was followed until age 7 years at which
time accurate sensory testing could be completed.
This patient at this time had DVD, asymmetric OKN
refractive esotropia and only gross stereo acuity.
Another, a teenage boy, the sibling of a congenital
esotropia patient, had DVD and OKN asymmetry, but
his eyes were aligned and he demonstrated normal
stereopsis! Patients with these characteristics have
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

been diagnosed as having congenital esotropia sine

(without) strabismus. This suggests that congenital Subnormal binocular vision*
esotropia exists on a continuum and is genetically
influenced. Orthotropia or heterophoria
Normal visual acuity in both eyes
Treatment Fusional amplitudes
Normal retinal correspondence
While terminology and theories of origin may
Foveal suppression in one eye in binocular vision
be debated, it is the nearly universal belief of strabis-
Reduced or absent stereopsis
mologists that surgery is the treatment of choice after
Stability of alignment
refractive/accommodative components have either
Optimal treatment result for congenital esotropia
been ruled out or treated and after any amblyopia (if
present) has been treated. Ideally these patients *We have examined normal parents of children with congen-
ital esotropia and found that they have reduced stereo acuity
should alternate fixation before surgery, but surgery is indicating subnormal binocular vision.
often carried out before this is accomplished.
Amblyopia therapy in such cases can be continued
Microtropia
after surgery. The age chosen for surgery depends on
the surgeons preference and varies from as early as 4 Inconspicuous shift or no shift on cover test
months to 3 years of age or more. The trend, howev- Mild amblyopia frequent
er, is for surgery to be done at a younger age. Fixation central or parafoveolar in one eye
Chemodenervation of both medial recti with Botox Fusional amplitudes
has been done, but has not achieved a prominent role. Anomalous retinal correspondence (if small shift
(see chapter 14). on cover test)
Surgery for infantile esotropia consists of bime- Reduced or absent stereopsis
dial rectus recession, medial rectus resection, and lat- Fairly stable alignment
eral rectus resection of one eye, a three-muscle pro- No further treatment except amblyopia preven-
cedure combining a bimedial rectus recession with a tion
resection of one lateral rectus or in a very few cases a Desirable treatment result
four-muscle procedure consisting of a bilateral reces- Microtropia with identity has harmonious anomalous corre-
sion-resection. In cases with inferior oblique overac- spondence between the eccentric fixation of the amblyopic
tion and V pattern, both inferior oblique muscles may eye and the fovea of the sound eye.
also be weakened at the initial surgical procedure.
These patients often have lax superior oblique ten- Monofixation (Parks)
dons that could be treated either with bilateral superi-
or oblique tuck or bilateral inferior oblique weaken- Esotropia (XT) < 10 prism diopters
ing. Most cases of infantile esotropia, particularly HARC
those done at less than 1 year, have only horizontal Alternation or amblyopia
rectus muscle surgery done at the initial procedure. Fusional amplitudes
Inferior oblique overaction may occur months to Stable angle
years after initial horizontal muscle surgery in which Good result
case inferior oblique weakening is done as a second According to Parks peripheral NRC.
procedure.
The best attainable result from treatment for Small-angle esotropia/exotropia
congenital esotropia in my experience is subnormal (<20 prism diopters)
binocular vision (Table 1). However, Kenneth W.
Wright has reported a patient aligned at 2 months and Cosmetically acceptable?
28 days who obtained alignment and stereo acuity of 80% have anomalous retinal correspondence
40 seconds arc disparity. An acceptable but less desir- Less stability of angle
able result is microtropia, and a still less desirable Further surgery based on appearance; amblyopia
result is small-angle eso- or exotropia. Large-angle treatment as needed; may benefit from correction
eso- or exotropia, a still less desirable result, requires of hyperopia
further surgery. We have found that 80%+ of patients May be acceptable result
treated surgically in our clinic for congenital I believe that all strabismus patients have harmonious anom-
esotropia have good initial results; that is, small-angle alous retinal correspondence if tested with tests which disas-
esotropia or exotropia of less than 10 prism diopters, sociate eyes less such as Bagolini glasses.
microtropia, or subnormal binocular vision. With
continuing treatment nearly 100% of congenital
Table 1 Results of treatment
esotropia patients are aligned in the primary position
by their teen years. von Noorden confirmed the ear-

127
Chapter 5
Large-angle esotropia/exotropia
(>20 prism diopters)
Usually cosmetically unacceptable
Less chance for anomalous retinal
correspondence, suppression prevails
Unstable angle
Unacceptable result
Further surgery indicated
HARC can be found.
From von Noorden GK: A reassessment of infantile
esotropia, XLIV Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture, Am J
Ophthalmol 105:1-10, 1988
Table 1, contd Results of treatment
lier findings of Ing, Parks, and Costenbader that sur-
gery done before 2 years of age produces better sen-
sory results compared with surgery done between 2
and 4 years of age and surgery done after 4 years of
age. In my experience, the best result from surgery
for congenital esotropia falls short of normal binocu-
lar vision with perfect stereo acuity. That is, eyes
may be aligned with equal vision but stereo vision is
not normal. Anecdotal reports of infantile esotropia
treatment resulting in normal stereopsis of 40 seconds
of arc disparity beg the question, Was this infantile
esotropia? I believe these patients could represent
either early acquired esotropia in a child born with
normal sensory potential or a rescue of sensory
function in an infant who could capitalize on being
Table 2 Preoperative Patient Characteristics
From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.
128
given a second chance by having the eyes straight-
ened early. Of the two, I believe the former alterna-
tive to be the most likely.
Results of early surgery for congenital
esotropia
In an effort to learn more about the results that
can be expected from early surgery for congenital
esotropia we collected ten patients who underwent
bimedial rectus recession between 83 and 159 days of
age. The preoperative characteristics are shown
(Table 2). These patients were examined initially
between 55 and 150 days. They had an average devi-
ation of 50 prism diopters with a range of 35 to 60
prism diopters. Most were noted by their parents to
have crossed eyes at birth. The refractive error
ranged from +1.00 to +3.00 diopters. Three patients
demonstrated fixation preference suggesting the pres-
ence of amblyopia.
Initial surgery was bimedial rectus recession
between 8.5 and 10.0 mm measured from the limbus.
In each case the eyes were aligned in the immediate
postoperative period (Table 3). These patients were
followed, for a period of 8.3 years (the least) to 11.8
years (the longest). They were seen collectively a
total of 221 times in follow up.
Only three of the ten patients remained aligned
with a single surgery. The other 7 required a total of
11 additional surgical procedures. Three had just one
additional surgery. Three needed two additional sur-
geries and one patient required three additional surgi-
cal procedures (Table 4).
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

Table 3 Initial Surgery

From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

Table 4 Secondary Surgeries

From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

During the course of follow up, two patients
required hyperopic correction to maintain alignment*
and two patients required a short period of occlusion
for amblyopia. At the end of the follow up period 19
of 20 eyes had visual acuity of 20/40 or better. All
patients were aligned to within 10 prism diopters of
orthotropia at distance, near, or both. Nine of 10
patients had dissociated vertical deviation and 4 had
latent nystagmus. Four patients had measurable
stereo acuity, two at 3,000 seconds (stereo fly), one at
400 seconds, and one at 140 seconds (Table 5).
All of the patients demonstrated optokinetic
asymmetry which is characterized by smooth pursuit
of stripes moving from temporal to nasal and jerky
eye movement response to stripes moving from nasal
to temporal. This response seems to be a common
denominator of congenital esotropia. That is, all con-
genital esotropia patients demonstrate this and con-
versely if a patient demonstrates asymmetric OKN
response, he/she has congenital esotropia.
Looking at the results of surgical treatment for
congenital esotropia reported by seven investigators,
the following becomes clear: (Table 6)
1. Stereo acuity is attainable, but it is reduced.
2. Most patients require at least one additional
surgery.
3. Dissociated vertical deviation occurs in most.
It has been suggested that early surgery in the
patient with congenital esotropia might lead to a high-
er incidence of dissociated vertical deviation. To test

* Both had less than +3.00 refraction before surgery. The patient who was +3.00 before surgery was plano at the last visit.

129
Chapter 5

Table 5 Long-term outcome of early surgery for congenital esotropia

From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

Table 6 Summary of results of treatment of congenital esotropia

From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

this, Neely, et. al. in a retrospective study demon-
strated that DVD developed approximately 18
months after surgical alignment in congenital
esotropia patients aligned both early and at a later
time. This study concluded that the timing of surgery
for congenital esotropia had no bearing on the occur-
rence of DVD. Rather, DVD occurs about one and a
half years after surgery for esotropia, regardless of the
surgery being done early or later.
The dynamic nature of congenital esotropia is
demonstrated by the logs of four patients in this study.
A record of each visit along with preoperative pic-
tures and a picture at the end of follow up show the
satisfactory cosmetic results obtained in these
patients after a total of 97 visits and 17 interventions
(including surgery, patching, and prescription of
glasses). (Tables 7-10)

130
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

Table 7 Case #5
From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

Table 8 Case #1
From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

131
Chapter 5

Table 9 Case #7
From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

Table 10 Case #10

From Helveston EM, et al. Results of early alignment of congenital esotropia. Ophthalmology, 1999, 106(9):1716-1726.
Used with permission.

132
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

done in the newborn nursery study. None of the new-

Based on these findings and other clinical
experience when discussing treatment options
with the parent(s) of a patient with congenital
esotropia, I say the following:
1. A diagnosis of congenital esotropia can be
made with confidence by 4 months of age
if the deviation is 40 prism diopters or
more, is constant, and no other neurologic
problems exist.
2. Surgery can be done safely in an infant at
age 4 months if competent pediatric anes-
thesia is available.
3. An average of 2 surgical procedures is
required to achieve stable alignment.
Some patients are aligned with only one
procedure, but others require more, even
up to a total of 4 (possibly more?).
4. For best results, children treated for con-
genital esotropia should be followed
closely until a time near the teen years.
5. Normal binocular function is not obtained
from treatment of congenital esotropia,
but about one half of children can appre-
ciate some level of stereo acuity.
6. It has been my experience that alignment
achieved by the teen years in patients
treated for congenital esotropia tends to be
stable.
borns examined were found to have what could be
called typical congenital or essential infantile
esotropia. Freidrich and deDecker later did a compa-
rable evaluation in 1000 newborns with similar
results.
During periods of observation, infants were frequent-
ly noted to have both eyes crossed or both eyes
diverged. This behavior was called convergence or
divergence and not esotropia or exotropia.
Strabismus was considered to be present only when at
least one eye fixed on the examiners face.
The conclusions from these newborn motility studies
were as follows:
1. The clinical picture of congenital or infan-
tile esotropia is not present at birth.
2. Newborns seem to have an immature oculo-
motor system with inaccurate, unsteady, and
nonmaintained fixation and they display a
tendency toward exodeviation.
3. Newborns are mainly visually inattentive dur-
ing short periods of observation and fix on the
examiners face only for brief intervals.

Ocular motility studies in the newborn

In an effort to learn more about the origins of
infantile esotropia, I examined 500 newborns in the
nursery as a pilot study to determine the status of ocu-
lar motility during the first few hours of life. Most of
the newborns I observed either had straight eyes or
were exodeviated. None had a picture compatible Figure 2
with as diagnosis or even a suspicion of congenital- Examination of motility in a newborn.
infantile esotropia. The study was continued with
Robert Nixon as the principal nursery examiner,
examining 1219 newborns (Figure 2). The alignment
pattern in these infants was as follows: 48.6% were
orthotropic, 32.7% were exotropic, 3.2% were exo- to
esodeviated, and 15.4% were uncooperative and no
statement was made about their motility.
In the third stage of the study, Archer, Sondhi,
Helveston, and Miller examined 2917 newborns and
found exodeviation in 66.5%, orthotropia in 29.9%,
and eso- to exodeviation in 3.6% (Figure 3). With
persistence and by using improved techniques carried
out principally by Archer, nearly all newborns were
sufficiently alert and cooperative to be examined dur-
ing the third phase of the nursery study. The higher
percentage of exodeviation is attributed to a longer,
more thorough period of observation in the nursery. Figure 3
Follow-up motility evaluation in newborn at a clinic.
In total, more than 4000 infant examinations were

133
Chapter 5
Follow-up evaluation of motility:
The orthotropization curve
A follow-up study of motility was also conducted on
this newborn population as they returned to the well
baby clinic. In the entire study, which was led by the
efforts of Archer, a total of 6228 examinations were
performed on 4211 infants, of whom 3324 otherwise
normal infants formed the population base. Of these,
922 were seen an average of 1.5 times in addition to
the newborn examination and 582 had their last
examination after 4 months. The purpose of this
study was to determine the prevalence of various
motility findings during this period of observation.
The results showed that esodeviations were not seen
in otherwise normal children after 2 or 3 months of
age. Exodeviations disappeared by 6 to 8 months of
age. The alignment between birth and 1 month was
essentially the same. These overall findings were
Figure 4
Orthotropization curve
134
described as an orthotropization curve (Figure 4).
During this study, the Bruckner test was done by
observing the binocular pupillary reflexes indicating
bifoveal fusion in the infants followed during this
study. The Bruckner test is done by observing the
binocular pupillary reflex with a plus lens in the
direct ophthalmoscope. Equal pupillary reflexes indi-
cate bifoveal fixation and therefore alignment of the
visual axes. Unequal reflexes indicate central fixa-
tion with one eye and misalignment of the other eye.
Unequal pupillary reflexes are also seen with straight
eyes when anisometropia is present.
Three children seen in the newborn nursery and noted
to have eyes that were straight or exotropic were
found by age 6 months to have findings typical of
congenital esotropia (Figure 5). Three patients with
neonatal unilateral sixth nerve palsy reverted to nor-
mal within weeks to months. Another patient identi-
fied with Duane syndrome in the newborn nursery
and followed for several months continued to mani-
fest a typical type I esotropic Duane syndrome.
Conclusions from these observations of newborn
were the following:
1. The clinical picture of congenital-infantile
esotropia was not present at birth in 4,211
infants.
2. The majority of newborns have an unstable
ocular alignment biased toward an exodevia-
tion, and this persists for the first few weeks
of life.
3. Alignment at birth and at 1 month is similar.
4. There is a steady progression toward longer
periods of straight eyes during the first six
months of life.
5. Esodeviation persisting after two months of
age is abnormal motility.
6. Normal infants do not seem to have a period
of normal binocular stimulation prior to a pre-
sumed esotropital event such as early onset
refractive esotropia or any presumed periph-
eral motor--induced esotropia.
7. Normal infants as well as infants who are des-
tined to develop congenital esotropia may be
indistinguishable in the first two months by
clinic means.
8. Prolonged esotropia in the first weeks or
months does not preclude normal binoculari-
ty later.
9. Exodeviation persisting beyond six to eight
months is abnormal motility.
10. Duane can be diagnosed in the neonatal peri-
od.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Figure 5
A A 1-day-old infant demonstrated slightly exodeviated
eyes during examination
B At 6 months of age, this same child had 40 prism
diopters of esotropia and presented the typical findings
of congenital esotropia.
The newborn visual sensory system
It is well known that visual acuity of the infant
is significantly below the level found in adults. This
visual acuity improves rapidly over the first few
weeks to months of life in the human, approaching
adult visual acuity levels between six months and one
year of age. Psychophysical studies using forced
preferential looking techniques have shown that dur-
ing the first month of life, infants prefer to look at
stripes of 18 cy/degree, improving to a 6 cy/degree by
six months. This is compared roughly to acuity of
20/800 and 20/100 in Snellen equivalents. However,
this recognition acuity using high-contrast stripes is
not the same as resolution acuity measured with
Snellen optotypes, the latter being a more exacting
measure. It has also been shown histologically that
the macula is immature at birth, approaching a mature
appearance in the second year and not developing full
photoreceptor maturation until the fourth year.
Newborns studied in the nursery support this finding
by their fixation behavior. It appears, however, that
accurate central fixation with visual acuity approach-
ing 20/30 to 20/40 precedes histologic maturation.
Asymmetric optokinetic response is common in
infants in the first three months of life. This response
becomes symmetrical after three months in the nor-
mal infant, but asymmetry persists in infants who
have congenital esotropia. It is not clear whether this
is a purely sensory or combined sensory-motor
response. It has been postulated that this response is
mediated through the brain stem at the nucleus of the
optic tract (NOT) based on anomalous cortical-retinal
interaction to visual stimuli. Ciancia has shown what
may be a purely sensory side of this phenomenon of
OKN asymmetry by demonstrating asymmetric visu-
ally evoked potential in this type of patient.
Between two and four months of age a stereo
response can be obtained for the first time using
either stable targets or the dynamic random dot stere-
ogram in infants with straight eyes. This stereo
response is never found in an esotropic individual or
in an infant less than two months old. According to
Leguire and to Archer, in separate studies, a few
infants who had their eyes surgically straightened at
an early age demonstrated gross stereopsis while the
eyes were perfectly straight but lost stereopsis as a
small-angle esodeviation returned.
For approximately the first four months the
infants visual-sensory-fusion system and visual-
motor systems are immature and relatively ineffective
compared to adult standards of acuity and alignment.
The system in the normal infant will not sustain
straight eyes consistently until somewhere between
two and four months of age.
What causes congenital esotropia?
A theory for the origin of congenital esotropia
is proposed as follows:
1. At birth infants who are otherwise normal
neurologically--and regardless of their ulti-
mate ocular alignment--start with similar
motor and sensory behavior. They have
reduced visual acuity (sensory), unsteady
ocular alignment (motor), and absence of
stereopsis (sensory fusion) (Figure 6A).
(Infants with obvious afferent defects such
as cataracts, anatomic defects such as optic
nerve hypoplasia, structural muscle or nerve
defects, congenital motor nystagmus, sixth
nerve palsy Mbius, Duane syndrome, etc.,
are considered separately).
2. The sensory and motor systems mature rap-
idly, concurrently, but independently. At
approximately two months of age they are
sufficiently developed to sustain normal
binocular vision (Figure 6B).
3. When the sensory and motor functions are
sufficiently mature, they interact, through the
meditation of an inborn cortical fusion facul-
ty that has both a motor fusion and a sensory
fusion component. This is the keystone of
the arch that has a sensory arm and a
motor arm.
135
Chapter 5

A B

Figure 6
A Before 2 months of age, the motor and sensory systems B Completed arch between 2 and 4 months.
are immature.

4. The motor fusion component of the key-

stone uses images disparity as a stimulus for
the acquisition of a single superimposed image
from each of the two eyes. The sensory com-
ponent of fusion recognizes small lateral dis-
placement of these two images (within Panums
fusional space) and interprets them as a single
image with stereoscopic depth perception.
Motor fusion can be normal in the absence of
sensory fusion, but sensory fusion is never nor-
mal in the absence of normal motor fusion
(Figure 7).
5. The fusion arch completes a stable union of
Figure 7
sensory and motor function maintaining The completed arch, crowned with stereopsis.
straight eyes.
If the keystone of motor-sensory fusion is
absent or defective, the developing system breaks
down and the arch collapses (Figure 8). The integri-
ty is lost because of a lack of motor fusion (absence
of the normal keystone of the fusion arch).
Strabismus occurs, and persists, in the absence of the
motor fusion lock in the infant, usually beginning
with a variable angle of strabismus and later devel-
oping into a stable angle. A secondary defect in the
afferent system (amblyopia) may occur because the
misaligned visual axes force one eye to be chosen to
view the object of regard and in the process of retinal
rivalry a stimulus for suppression occurs. Anomalous
retinal correspondence (ARC) then occurs as an adap-
tive mechanism in response to misalignment of the
visual axes. In my opinion, ARC is present in every
case of misalignment of the visual axes without Figure 8
diplopia, but it may or may not be found clinically, or The absence of the keystone of sensorimotor fusion caus-
may be found as non-harmonious ARC, depending on es a collapse of the forming arch of normal binocular vision
the method of testing. resulting here in esotropia.
Other reasons for collapse in the arch can be
defective sensory limb (congenital cataract) or motor
abnormalities (congenital third nerve palsy) produc-
ing manifest strabismus during the period of suscep-
tibility (Figure 9).

136
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Figure 9: The arch of normal binocular vision can be
destroyed in the sensitive period by failure of the motor side
or the sensory side.
Infantile esotropia with nystagmus as a promi-
nent feature may be an example of a combined motor
and brain stem--derived esotropia. Nystagmus block-
age type esotropia with manifest latent or manifest
nystagmus may represent a secondary defect
(esotropia) occurring after convergence to damp nys-
tagmus. Those cases of congenital esotropia without
manifest nystagmus may be the only ones with a true
congenital, occipital cortex--based, motor-sensory
fusion defect.
When incomitant strabismus is present in a
patient with normal motor fusion potential, it can be
dealt with by assuming a head posture which results
in alignment of the eye. In these cases, it is the head
that moves while the eyes remain fixed with fusion on
the object of regard. Examples of this strategy
employed in Brown, superior oblique palsy, and
Duane are shown in Figure 10.
I believe that the presence of the keystone for
motor and ultimately sensory fusion is genetically
determined. Likewise, the absence of this keystone is
genetic. The presence or absence of this characteris-
tic cannot be uncovered by clinical means at our dis-
posal until approximately two to four months of age
when the system is programmed to complete the
scheme for the development of binocular alignment.
Possible hereditary factors
In an effort to learn more about possible hered-
itary factors in congenital esotropia, we studied oth-
erwise normal parents of children with congenital
esotropia. In spite of having at least 20/20 vision in
each eye and no more than 2 prism diopters of phoria,
these parents had a 16% incidence of reduced stereo
acuity of 80 sec arc or less and could be classified as
having subnormal binocular vision. This was in con-
trast to a control group of parents who had a 2% inci-
dence of subnormal binocular vision. Adding to these
statistics is the well-known fact that children with
congenital esotropia are more likely to have a parent
or first-order relative with esotropia compared to chil-
dren without congenital esotropia. Following this
study, we found no difference in the response to treat-
ment in those children with or without a parent with
subnormal binocular vision. This suggests to us that
defective stereo acuity is a subtle inborn defect which
could be a form fruste of congenital esotropia, but the
true relationship between a minimal defect in stereo-
acuity and normal alignment remains unexplained.
On the other hand, asymmetric OKN is a reaction to
ocular misalignment even as mild as minimal DVD
and is therefore classified as a result, not a cause, of
congenital esotropia. The stereo acuity defect is
inborn and cortically based. The OKN defect is sec-
ondary and brain stem based.
Another way to look at the picture of congeni-
tal esotropia in a graphic way and still retain the ele-
ments of sensory (afferent), motor (efferent), and sen-
sory-motor fusion (link or keystone) components of
infantile esotropia is to picture a closed loop system
(Figure 11).
137
Chapter 5

B B1

C C1

D D1

Figure 10
A By changing the foundation, the arch can maintain its
integrity provided the keystone of motor fusion is
intact. This is done when patients assume an appropri-
ate head posture in:
B Mild Brown syndrome, left eye
B1 Eyes are aligned when head moves to position where
strabismus is maximum in Brown.
C Duane syndrome, right eye
C1 This girl with Class II Duane turns her head toward the
normal side to achieve fusion.
D Right superior oblique palsy
D1 A chin down, head tilt left is the head posture assumed
to gain fusion by this child with congenital right superior
oblique palsy.

138
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

B C

*This infant may be indistinguishable from the normal by usual

clinical means.

Figure 11
A The nine components of the complete closed loop of C Congenital esotropia with a pathologic open loop.
binocular vision. D Mature normal loop.
B The immature open loop demonstrating unstable align-
ment.

139
Chapter 5

Characteristic No. (%)

Amblyopia 144 (35)
Anomalous head posture 26 (6)
Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) 208 (51)
Overaction of inferior obliques (OAIO) 277 (68)
DVD and OAIO (combined) 171 (42)
Manifest nystagmus 62 (15)
Manifest-latent nystagmus 41 (10)
*Mean deviation at distance, 44 prism diopters (range, 5 to 100 prism diopters). Mean deviation at near, 49 prism diopters (range, 10 to
95 prism diopters)

Table 11 Characteristics of essential infantile esotropia* according to von Noorden (N=408)

The occurrence of associated finding with con-
genital esotropia has been described according their
salient features by von Noorden (Table 11). He also
offers a differential diagnosis (Table 12). Other
descriptions of infantile esotropia have been offered
by Lang, Adelstein, Cppers, and Ciancia. Harcourt
simply described congenital esotropia with and with-
out nystagmus. I prefer to recognize Ciancia syn-
drome as congenital esotropia that has manifest latent
nystagmus as the most prominent feature. Nystagmus
blockage syndrome is manifest congenital nystagmus
with a null in convergence. While several important
characteristics are associated with different types of
esotropia in infancy, important clinical features of
congenital esotropia are strabismus (always),OKN
asymmetry (always), nystagmus, and abnormal head
posture (sometimes). These features can be seen with
some or all of the findings listed as characteristics of
congenital esotropia in Table 11.
Early refractive esotropia, not included in this
scheme, is usually easily distinguishable because of a
later onset, better fusion potential, and response to
correction of hyperopia. Other characteristics of con-
genital esotropia including amblyopia, DVD, and
oblique muscle dysfunction are secondary. The prin-
cipal characteristics of esotropia in infancy can be
combined in a Venn diagram, which makes the rela-
tionships of the early onset esodeviations easier to
understand (Figure 12) (Table 13).
Primary congenital esotropia has a moderate
to large angle esotropia. The patient may alternate or
prefer fixation with one eye (amblyopia).
Nystagmus, manifest or latent, and anomalous head
posture are usually not present at the outset but may
occur later. The primary defect is presumed to be a
congenital defect in the central, cortical motor fusion
center.
Ciancia syndrome is esotropia with limited
abduction and manifest latent nystagmus of the
abducting eye. These patients fixate with the adduct-
ed eye and turn their face to the side of the fixing eye.
This is called cross fixation. The primary congenital
defect is in the cortical motor fusion center, seen as
esotropia with manifest latent nystagmus secondary
to brain stem response.
Nystagmus blockage syndrome is manifest
congenital nystagmus damped by convergence. Both
eyes are crossed. One eye is used for fixation and the
face is turned toward the fixating eye. The primary
defect is presumed to be in the brain stem.
Latent and manifest latent nystagmus, dissoci-
ated vertical deviation, and amblyopia can occur as
later findings in any esotropia of infancy. In my
experience, congenital esotropia without nystagmus
is more likely to be aligned with one procedure con-
sisting of an appropriate size bimedial rectus reces-
sion. Sprunger, et. al. have shown that in the presence
Essential infantile esotropia*
Sixth nerve palsy
Nystagmus dampened by convergence
Esotropia with central nervous system anomalies
(Downs syndrome, albinism, cerebral
palsy, mental retardation, and the like)
Refractive accommodative esotropia
Sensory esotropia
Duane syndrome, type 1
* congenital esotropia
Mbius syndrome (EMH)
Table 12 Differential diagnosis of infantile esotropia
according to von Noorden

140
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

Figure 12 Venn diagram

Congenital esotropia syndrome (Lang)

1. Esotropia of early onset 4. Excyclodeviation of the nonfixing eye

2. Alternating sursumduction (DVD) 5. Abnormal head posture
3. Nystagmus 6. Slight hereditary influence

Essential infantile esotropia (von Noorden)

1. Onset--birth to 6 months Excessive adduction

2. Large angle, >30 prism diopters Dysfunction of oblique muscles
3. Stable angle Dissociated vertical deviation
4. Normal central nervous system 6. Initial alternation with cross fixation; potential
5. May be associated with: for normal binocular vision limited
Defective abduction

Nystagmus blockage (Adelstein-Cuppers)

1. Nystagmus on abduction 3. Straightening eyes under general anesthesia

2. Head turn in direction of fixing eye

Nystagmus blockage (von Noorden)

Manifest jerky nystagmus that decreases or disappears with esotropia, accommodative convergence
when sustaining fixation on an object distance or near.

Ciancia syndrome

1. Esotropia early onset in abduction and decreasing in adduction

2. Rather large angle deviation 5. Torticollis: the face is rotated toward the side
3. Bilateral limitation of abduction of the fixing eye.
4. Jerk nystagmus (manifest latent) with the quick 6. Hyperopia generally moderate or absent
phase toward the side of the fixing eye increasing

Table 13 Clinical Characteristics

141
Chapter 5
of nystagmus, it is more difficult to achieve alignment
in congenital esotropia. Both Ciancia syndrome and
nystagmus blockage syndrome are more likely to
require additional surgery to achieve horizontal align-
ment. Duane syndrome I is a truly congenital
esotropia but has a normal sensorimotor status and
with the proper head posture, in most cases, fusion is
obtained. Surgery in cases of Duane syndrome is
ordinarily done to improve head posture and primary
position alignment. Even with successful surgery,
some strabismus remains.
Intermittent exotropia
Intermittent exotropia is a common, though
enigmatic, form of strabismus that presents only a
modest diagnostic challenge but which requires con-
siderable therapeutic acumen and tenacity. Patients
with this type of strabismus, more than any other,
demonstrate a duality of behavior in that they seem to
be completely normal during orthotropic interludes
and totally turned off during periods of manifest
exodeviation. At the outset it should be stated
exophoria; that is, a latent and usually small-angle
exodeviation, is not amenable to surgical treatment.
This latent deviation, which by definition is kept in
check under binocular conditions, can cause symp-
toms of asthenopia best treated with orthoptic exer-
cises, but not prism wear which will be eaten up.
These exercises can enhance motor fusion amplitudes
to control the deviation in both phoric and some
intermittently tropic patients. In such cases, the
greater the motor fusion response for convergence,
the more effectively the deviation will be held in
check with reduction or elimination of symptoms.
Orthoptic exercises can consist of near point of con-
vergence push up maneuvers, used for convergence
insufficiency that has a greater exodeviation at near,
convergence enhancement with fusible targets, work-
ing against base-out prism, and use of over-minus
lenses that invoke accommodative convergence.
In contrast to the exophoric patient, those
patients with intermittent exotropia who are tropic
demonstrating a manifest deviation part of the time
and who require surgical correction occur in several
forms. They are classified on the basis of when the
eyes are deviated and in what field or distance of gaze
the deviation is greater. However, a strong undercur-
rent of similarity connects all forms of intermittent
and latent exodeviations.
Refractive error in intermittent
exotropia
Patients with intermittent exotropia in our expe-
rience have a low refractive error, either plus or
minus, with or without moderate astigmatism. This
may be a valid observation, but it may also be due to
142
the fact that moderate amounts of uncorrected hyper-
opia are usually accompanied by accommodation to
achieve a clear image, and this would automatically
invoke accommodative convergence with the poten-
tial for elimination of or reduction of the exodevia-
tion. Others have found a normal distribution of
refractive errors in patients with intermittent
exotropia. For whatever reason, those patients I have
treated for intermittent exotropia tend to have very lit-
tle, if any, hyperopia.
Age of onset
Clinically significant intermittent exotropia can
be seen in infants 6 months of age or even younger. A
more common age of onset is during the toddler peri-
od, between 1 1/2 and 3 years of age. Parents may
observe that their child does not look at me. It is
usually difficult for parents to accurately describe this
type of strabismus. They often say that the eyes of the
child simply dont look right. At other times, par-
ents have said that they have seen their childs eyes
turn in. After careful questioning it usually becomes
clear that the parents are describing the recovery
movement from the exodeviation to the straight posi-
tion--therefore, the turning in. The pattern of exode-
viation over time is usually characterized by a steady
progression with increasing periods of tropia during
the preschool years. However, in some cases the
deviation remains stable and a few even improve.
Paradoxically, it has been shown by Archer that giv-
ing full correction in some hyperopic patients can
lead to control of intermittent exotropia.
Pattern of deviation in the young
Two characteristics of the intermittent
exotropia deviation in the preschool years are
(1) increasing likelihood of tropia when the child is
fatigued, day-dreaming, or inattentive and (2) closing
one eye in bright sunlight. The latter is an especially
interesting phenomenon. von Noorden and Wiggins
have shown that fusional amplitudes decrease in the
majority of subjects, both strabismic and normal,
when tested with increasing illumination. It is also a
commonly observed phenomenon that most normal
people when in bright sunlight outdoors will close the
eye nearer to the sun, while unconsciously using the
nose in part to shade the fixating eye. If the sunny-
side eye were exotropic, it would be all the more
exposed to the sun and therefore demanding closure
for comfort. It is important to elicit this history of
closing one eye in bright sunlight when confirming a
diagnosis of intermittent exotropia in a young child.
When this question is asked of a parent and they
respond in the affirmative, it lends a measure of cre-
dence to you, the examiner, and tends to confirm that
the exodeviation is present during these periods.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Exodeviation in the newborn
When considering the onset and frequent pro-
gression of intermittent exotropia in the young child,
it is important to recognize that intermittent exotropia
(with fixation of one eye) or divergence (without fix-
ation) is seen almost routinely in the normal newborn
and infant. Archer leading our nursery eye examina-
tion team found that two thirds of newborns demon-
strated an exodeviation at some time during a motili-
ty examination. This exodeviation was seen in fewer
children as examinations were done on older infants
at monthly intervals. It was concluded from this
study that exodeviations should not be considered
clinically significant until after 6 to 8 months.
Esodeviations, in contrast to exodeviations, occurred
in fewer than 3% of newborns and this deviation
resolved earlier. Any esodeviation persisting beyond
2 months is considered clinically significant. This
pattern of development of normal alignment makes it
difficult to make a firm diagnosis of intermittent
exotropia before 6 to 8 months of age.
Pathophysiology of intermittent
exotropia
Why do the eyes go out? What is occurring in
the sensory system while the eyes are straight? When
they are out? Some things we know can be listed:
First, when the eye is exodeviated in the manifest
phase of intermittent exotropia, the patient is symp-
tom free. There is no diplopia. Second, the binocu-
lar peripheral field is enlarged when the eyes are devi-
ated. However, this enlarged peripheral binocular
field is more readily appreciated and potentially use-
ful in adults with constant exotropia. Third, a large
central scotoma is present in the deviating eye during
the tropic phase. The suppression pattern and retinal
correspondence have been studied by Pratt-Johnson
and Tillson, who found consistent harmonious anom-
alous correspondence. The role of so-called hemireti-
nal suppression of the temporal retina has been
stressed by Jampolsky. Older theories discuss
anatomic orbital factors and the role of active diver-
gence, the balance of forces at rest in the exodeviated
position, and the role of the accommodative conver-
gence/ accommodation ratio in overcoming an innate
tendency toward exodeviation. None of these expla-
nations is entirely satisfactory, though each may have
some validity.
Racial predilection
Intermittent exotropia is slightly more common
in the black race. This condition is also seen fre-
quently in fair-haired, blue-eyed Scandinavians and
in societies and cultures who are less involved in pro-
longed near work.
Classification of intermittent exotropia
Intermittent exotropia has been classically
divided into four categories.
I. Basic type--The exodeviation after dissocia-
tion is the same at distance and at near.
II. Divergence excess type--The distance
exodeviation is greater than the near deviation
by 15 prism diopters. The near point of con-
vergence in these patients is usually recessed.
III. Convergence insufficiency type--The near
deviation intermittent exotropia is greater than
the far deviation by 15 prism diopters. The near
point of convergence in these patients is usual-
ly recessed.
IV. Simulated divergence excess type--The
patient presents initially with a larger deviation
at distance compared to near. However, the
near deviation is reduced on the basis of the
tonic near reflex and proximal convergence. In
order to differentiate between true and simulat-
ed divergence excess intermittent esotropia, the
patient should have one eye patched for 15 to
30 minutes, after which careful alternate prism
and cover testing is carried out at near using an
accommodative target without allowing the
patient to use both eyes together. If the near
deviation remains smaller, the individual has
true divergence excess. On the other hand, if
the deviation increases to equal or nearly equal
the distance deviation, a diagnosis of simulated
divergence excess--basic exotropia can be
made.
In addition to these categories of intermittent
exotropia, Knapp and Moore have emphasized the
importance of lateral incomitance. These patients
will demonstrate a smaller exodeviation when alter-
nate prism and cover testing is carried out in lateral
gaze to either side in spite of having full abduction.
Recognition of this is important, according to Knapp
and Moore, because patients with 20% or more reduc-
tion in exodeviation in lateral gaze are more likely to
be overcorrected surgically if the amount of surgery is
done purely on the basis of measurements made in the
primary position. This finding of lateral gaze incomi-
tance may be a measure of a patients convergence
response to the unnatural exercise of fixation in
extremes of lateral gaze maintained during prism and
cover testing.
A and V pattern with intermittent
exotropia
Patients with intermittent exotropia also may
have an A or V pattern and in some instances may
have an associated hyperdeviation present in primary
position when the eyes are dissociated. In other
cases, an X pattern may be present characterized by
an increase in the exodeviation in both up- and
143
Chapter 5
downgaze. The rules of treatment are consistent. If
oblique dysfunction is a cause of the A or V pattern,
the obliques may be weakened. However, the superi-
or oblique should be weakened only if other surgical
considerations such as downshift of the lateral or
upshift of the medial rectus muscles would be con-
sidered ineffective, if no exodeviation is present in
primary position and, of course, if definite overaction
of the superior oblique is demonstrated. Bilateral
superior oblique weakening should be avoided in
most A pattern patients who demonstrate fusion. In
most cases of intermittent exotropia with A or V, I
prefer when possible to perform appropriate vertical
shift of the horizontal recti, sometimes without reces-
sion if no deviation is present in the primary position.
X patterns will usually resolve with correction of the
primary position deviation after surgery done only on
the horizontal recti. I have not found it necessary to
weaken all of the obliques, as has been suggested.
A, V, or X pattern deviations are more likely to intermittent exotropia, an important part of the
be seen in constant than in intermittent tropias.
Combined horizontal and vertical
deviation with intermittent exotropia
If when the exodeviation is neutralized with
base-in prism during the prism and cover test the ver-
tical deviation is eliminated, the vertical deviation
(which may be called a dissociation vertical) may
be ignored at the time of surgical correction. On the
other hand, if the vertical deviation persists after the
horizontal deviation has been neutralized with prism,
it deserves to be treated with appropriate vertical rec-
tus or inferior oblique surgery. Persisting vertical
deviation is more likely to occur with constant exode-
viation. When combined vertical and horizontal sur-
gery is done, this surgery usually consists of superior
rectus recession on the appropriate side.
Work-up of the patient with intermit-
tent exotropia
Evaluation of the patient with intermittent
exotropia should be carried out according to the
guidelines recommended (see chapter 4). Several
characteristics unique to the intermittent exotropia
patient and important in evaluation should be
stressed. An accommodative target should be used
when doing the prism and cover test both in the dis-
tance and at near with the patient also wearing full
correction. The reason for this is that patients can
employ accommodative convergence in the distance
to maintain straight eyes at the cost a blurred image.
While reading a 20/20 target and wearing proper cor-
rection, a patient will manifest the true exodeviation,
free of the influence of accommodative convergence.
Conversely, while fixing a distant fixation light
(which is a nonaccommodative target) or a large tar-
get such as a 20/200 optotype, the eyes may be less
144
exodeviated or even straight during cover testing, at
the expense of vision, which is fogged, though unde-
tected, by accommodative convergence.
To obtain an accurate distance measurement
some prefer to measure while a patient fixates on a far
distant object at infinity. To do this, the patient may
be asked to look out of a window at a distant chimney,
clock, tree, etc., while prism and cover testing is car-
ried out to detect the maximum distance exodevia-
tion.
A short-term use of a patch can differentiate
simulated from true divergence excess. Use of alter-
nate patching for days or weeks in patients with inter-
mittent exotropia has been said to result in a reduction
in the exodeviation, but I have not employed this
technique often.
Parental observation
During the initial examination of a child with
process is to actually demonstrate the deviation to the
parents. They should be shown the misalignment of
the eyes just after dissociation and while the eyes are
exotropic. This is described to them as the devia-
tion. Next, the family observes the recovery move-
ment. It has been important in our practice to send
families home from an initial examination of a child
with intermittent exotropia with instructions to keep a
report card of their childs ocular alignment. At
subsequent examinations parents should report
approximately how often the childs eyes are deviat-
ed, under what conditions the childs eyes are deviat-
ed, how readily the childs eyes can be straightened or
recovery takes place, etc. Without this type of
demonstration parents may bring such a child for
repeated examinations without ever really under-
standing the true nature of the deviation!
Nonsurgical treatment of intermittent
exotropia
Intermittent exotropia is amenable to orthoptic
exercises in certain cases. Convergence insufficiency
in a teenager or an adult can be helped with consci-
entious performance of near point of convergence
exercises, or in some cases, base-out prism may be
used to stimulate convergence. On the other hand,
base-in prisms play only a small role in the treatment
of most cases of true intermittent exotropia because
the patient usually has no symptoms, (except in cases
of convergence insufficiency) only a deviation with
suppression. Overcorrecting minus lenses may be
used as an exercise to stimulate convergence to over-
come an intermittent exotropia. This type of treat-
ment would more likely be used in a case that has
been undercorrected at surgery in an effort to rescue a
surgical attempt. Overcorrecting minus lenses used
in place of surgery are a form of procrastination.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Symptomatic convergence insufficiency may be
treated with base-in prism. While of theoretical
value, I have not used weak or incomplete cyclople-
gia to stimulate accommodative convergence.
Surgical treatment of intermittent
exotropia
The surgical treatment of intermittent exotropia
presents some philosophical problems. These
patients have a lot going for them before anything is
done. Vision is usually equal and normal in each eye,
sensory fusion with stereopsis and motor fusion
amplitudes are present, and versions and ductions are
intact. In other words, the good intermittent
exotropia patient is very, very good. On the other
hand, at times when the eyes are exodeviated, central
field binocular cooperation seems to be turned off.
One eye drifts out, suppression of the central field is
profound, and that part of the visual experience is
essentially ignored. The motility and sensory condi-
tion in intermittent exotropia is certainly dynamic,
varying between having one turned off exodeviated
eye and having perfectly normal binocular coopera-
tion. At the same time, a static surgical procedure is
used for treatment. By static I mean that muscles are
recessed or shortened (resected) to alter an alignment
that is orthotropic much of the time. There is no evi-
dence that this surgery has any specific effect on ver-
gences or fusional ability. With this apparent illogi-
cal application, the fit is not always perfect. Some
flexibility in treatment plan and diligence in the fol-
low-up, especially with regard to nonsurgical inter-
vention as well as surgical treatment, is necessary.
Timing of surgery
Strabismologists disagree on the best time for
surgery. Some prefer early surgery for intermittent
exotropia, saying that it is important to avoid pro-
longed periods of suppression that can lead to deteri-
oration of the normal fusion substrate. On the con-
trary, others believe it is safe to follow these children
with observation, stressing that patients are as good as
they are at their best; the glass is half full, not half
empty. Two arguments for delay are (1) overcorrec-
tion is easier to deal with in an older, more coopera-
tive patient and (2) some intermittent exotropia
patients remain the same and a few even improve.
The great fear in surgical treatment of intermittent
exotropia is overcorrecting a very young patient and
converting this patient into a small-angle esotropia
with loss of stereopsis and possibly producing ambly-
opia. The majority of strabismologists do not consid-
er intermittent exotropia in the young patient between
ages approximately 1 and 3 years to be an emergency.
* Any time you read surgical numbers in this book, be aware that these are only my best approximation - a place to start. Each sur-
geons numbers must be his or her own! The second asterisk refers to medial rectus resection.
Most surgeons prefer to establish a course of progres-
sion of the intermittent exotropia and then preform
surgery at the mid-preschool years, between 2 1/2 and
4 years of age or even later. However, exceptions to
this rule do occur; I have operated on a few patients
with intermittent exotropia who were under the age of
1 year of age. In older children and adults with basic
intermittent exotropia, and adults with convergence
insufficiency, surgery is done when the patient wish-
es, either because of problems with appearance or
from asthenopia, or both.
Choice of muscles and amount of
surgery
Basic intermittent exotropia and pseudodiver-
gence basic intermittent exotropia are treated the
same way. The main choices surgically are between
bilateral lateral rectus recession and lateral rectus
recession combined with medial rectus resection.
While individual surgeons may have strong prefer-
ences for one technique. No strong evidence exists to
support one technique over the other.
For most cases, I prefer bilateral lateral rectus
recession over recession-resection. The reason for
this is that the recession procedure is slightly more
physiologic than the resection procedure. In addition,
medial rectus resection can produce a lump under the
conjunctiva. For larger deviations, it is necessary to
add to bilateral lateral rectus recession a medial rec-
tus resection or even bimedial rectus resection.
A useful table for surgical numbers follows:*
Bilateral lateral rectus recession
5.0 mm OU/20-25 prism diopters
6.0 mm OU/25-30 prism diopters
7.0 mm OU/30-40 prism diopters
8.0 mm OU/40-50 prism diopters
Recession lateral rectus--resection medial
rectus
5.0 mm--*5.0 mm/20-25 prism diopters
6.0 mm--*6.0 mm/25-30 prism diopters
7.0 mm--*8.0 mm/30-40 prism diopters
8.0 mm--*10.0 mm/40-50 prism diopters
Three-muscle surgery
8.0 mm--*6.0 mm--8.0 mm/50-60 prism
diopters
8.0 mm--*8.0 mm--8.0 mm/60-75 prism
diopters
Four-muscle surgery
8.0 mm--*8.0 mm--*8.0mm/70-85prism
diopters
8.0 mm--*10.0 mm--*10.0 mm--8.0
mm/85-100 prism diopters
In most cases of intermittent exotropia requir-
ing surgery, the deviation is 50 prism diopters or less.
145
Chapter 5
Therefore, two-muscle surgery--either bilateral later-
al rectus recession or recession of one lateral rectus
and resection of the same medial rectus muscle of the
same eye--is sufficient.
Divergence excess intermittent
exotropia
This condition is best treated with bilateral lateral rec-
tus recession. A table for surgery follows:
5.0 mm OU/20-25 prism diopters
6.0 mm OU/25-30 prism diopters
7.0 mm OU/30-40 prism diopters
8.0 mm OU/40-50 prism diopters
This surgery is done without regard for the near
deviation. In most cases, correction of the distance
deviation has no adverse effect on the near deviation.
However, in two very intense, highly motivated,
teenage female patients the distance deviation could
be repaired only at the expense of the near deviation.
One patient requested to have her eyes over-corrected
to an esotropia when she was in college so that she
could read. She wore base-out prism for driving.
After she finished school and began to work as a
nurse she did the opposite--that is, wanted her eyes
placed straight in the distance while she wore base-in
prism for reading at near.
Results of surgery for intermittent
exotropia
The treatment results for intermittent exotropia are
not as easy to assess as in other forms of strabismus
treatment. In general, success is defined as convert-
ing an intermittent tropia to a phoria. Simply reduc-
ing the angle of a persisting intermittent tropia is not
much help since the same sensory pattern, suppres-
sion when tropic, persists. In addition, the size can
increase postoperatively.
A desirable, but also sometimes worrisome, early
postoperative result is to convert an intermittent
exotropia into a constant small angle esotropia.
These patients experience diplopia postoperatively,
which may be treated with patching for a short time
or base-out prism if a longer period of treatment is
needed. These overcorrections eventually revert to
stable surgically corrected status in most cases. Any
patient (or parent) must be alerted to the fact that
diplopia from postoperative esotropia can be a good
sign. These patients are also given full plus glasses if
they have any hyperopia. Patients may also be given
phospholine iodide to reduce accommodative conver-
gence.
This treatment of the postoperative esotropia is con-
tinued for several weeks or months. If the esotropia
with diplopia persists, it is treated with fully correct-
ing Fresnel base-out prism on their present glasses or
on plano loaner glasses which are provided. If neces-
146
sary, these may be replaced with permanent prisms.
Prolonged prism treatment of overcorrected intermit-
tent exotropia can produce excellent results. One
patient who was initially undercorrected with bilater-
al lateral rectus recession had bimedial rectus resec-
tion as a second procedure that produced 14 prism
diopters of esotropia postoperatively. She wore
steadily decreasing base-out prisms for three years
before reverting to orthophoria with normal stereop-
sis. Her father, a university professor of philosophy
anxiously followed this long drawn out process, mak-
ing it unforgettable. It is rare that a patient requires
reoperation for overcorrection in cases where surgery
has been done properly and ductions are full.
However, incomitant esotropia occurring after sur-
gery for intermittent exotropia, especially after reces-
sion and resection has been done, may require reces-
sion of a tight medial rectus muscle or advancement
of a weak lateral rectus muscle.
Undercorrection of intermittent exotropia calls for
reoperation based on the alignment with knowledge
of the muscles previously operated. In general, if the
laterals have been recessed less than maximum, they
may be re-recessed. If the laterals have been recessed
maximally, the medials may be resected, etc.
Convergence insufficiency
Convergence insufficiency intermittent exotropia is
an entirely different situation. I have had some suc-
cess in treating this with bimedial rectus resection,
but in other cases results have been disappointing,
with virtually no change in alignment after surgery
even in cases where an early overcorrection occurred.
The amount of bimedial rectus resection should be
small and symmetrical, ranging from 4 to 6 mm.
Some prefer a small recess-resect procedure to treat
convergence insufficiency. Although this could cause
the patient to assume a slight face turn at near to
maintain comfortable single binocular vision while
reading, the reward is that the patient can find an area
of fusion because the deviation is incomitant.
Does intermittent exotropia progress
to constant esotropia?
Intermittent exotropia can proceed to a constant devi-
ation in some cases. This may be a reason to perform
surgery in a timely manner. Perhaps in no other kind
strabismus is the surgeon more obligated to make
informed decisions ahead of time and to follow the
patient diligently postoperatively instituting appropri-
ate and timely re-treatment. It cannot be overstressed
that these patients are completely normal during peri-
ods of alignment. The surgeon is obligated to reme-
dy the condition occurring when the patient is abnor-
mal but to leave undisturbed the alignment present
during periods of normalcy. Herein lies the challenge
of the surgical treatment for intermittent exotropia.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
A professional football player who I
examined had a large angle intermittent, nearly
constant, exotropia at a routine eye examina-
tion. He was told that his eyes could be
straightened. No, Doc, he replied, I like the drome can result from anything that prevents the nor-
way my eyes are because I can see people run-
ning up behind me. At the next years eye
examination he said, Doc, could I catch a pass
better if my eyes were straight? When the
answer was yes, he consented to have his eyes
aligned surgically.
This story points out the plus of exodevi-
ation, the enlarged binocular visual field. It
also points out the downside of exodeviation,
reduced binocular cooperation - fusion. Adults
having surgical treatment of constant exotropia
should be told that they will experience tunnel
vision with straight eyes, but this is transient.
Brown syndrome
Brown syndrome, characterized by a mechani-
cal limitation of elevation in adduction, was original-
ly described by H.W. Brown in 1950 as the superior
oblique tendon sheath syndrome. Brown syndrome is
now more broadly considered as an inability to fully
elevate the eye in adduction, and to a lesser extent in
the primary position and sometimes abduction. This
is caused in most cases, but not exclusively by a
restriction related to the superior oblique tendon
and/or trochlea. Because of this, the chin may be
habitually elevated to capitalize on normal binocular-
ity in gaze down and toward the affected side. Brown
syndrome is differentiated from inferior oblique pare-
sis (which is rare) on the basis of restricted passive
ductions on attempted elevation in adduction occur-
ring in Brown syndrome. Brown syndrome can be
unilateral or bilateral and may be associated with
superior oblique overaction. Some patients with mild
congenital Brown syndrome have normal head pos-
ture and are symptom free.
While originally thought to be due to a short
superior oblique tendon sheath, the collective experi-
ence of many surgeons gained during surgical treat-
ment of Brown syndrome has cast doubt on this etiol-
ogy even to the point of denying that the superior
oblique tendon even has a sheath. Instead of having
a true sheath, the tendon passes obliquely through
Tenons fascia between the trochlea and the union of
the superior oblique tendon with the capsule of the
superior rectus before inserting into the sclera. This
passage through multiple orbital fascial layers pres-
ents many opportunities for anomalous tissue rela-
tionships, but actual orbital facial abnormality as a
cause of Brown syndrome is rare in my experience.
The mechanical restriction to elevation in
adduction causing Brown syndrome may occur on a
congenital unknown basis, after trauma, from iatro-
genic causes, with a cyst of the tendon, and with
inflammation (see page 232). In essence, Brown syn-
mal increase in the trochlear--superior oblique tendon
insertional distance, even including mechanical
restriction elsewhere on the globe.
Brown syndrome may have a hereditary basis
in some cases. It has been reported in a parent and
child and in siblings. I examined a young woman
with Brown syndrome who stated that her maternal
aunt and grandmother were similarly affected.
Acquired Brown syndrome caused by inflam-
mation is usually associated with pain or tenderness
in the area of the trochlea. Brown syndrome may also
occur because of a painless cyst around the trochlea.
Brown syndrome caused by a cyst or inflammation
may be intermittent, recurrent, or episodic. Palpation
in the area of the trochlea may reveal a cyst or ten-
derness typical of an inflammatory mass. In some
cases a click can be heard, usually by the patient, with
the click occurring as the cyst or mass on the supe-
rior oblique tendon passes into or out of the trochlea.
Such a click has been reported in an eye that had been
enucleated! In this case, removal of the eye did not
change the tendon-trochlea relationship sufficiently
to stop the click. Brown syndrome from an inflam-
matory response can be treated with injection of sol-
uble steroid into the trochlear area (but not into the
trochlea). This can produce dramatic relief, but the
Brown syndrome can recur, requiring repeat treat-
ment. Fortunately, in most cases, inflammatory
Brown syndrome is self-limiting. On the other hand,
recurring Brown syndrome from a palpable cyst
tends to persist. We have successfully treated such
cases by excision of a cyst of the reflected tendon.
Rao has reported Brown syndrome occurring from a
parasite - worm - lodging in the trochlea. This worm
has been confirmed by MRI. This condition responds
favorably to antihelmenthic treatment.
I have not exposed the trochlea itself in any sur-
gery for Brown syndrome. Surgery for Brown syn-
drome is limited to the reflected tendon, up to but not
including the trochlea.
Most Brown syndrome is idiopathic and con-
genital. Surgical treatment is indicated for the fol-
lowing: (1) chin elevation, (2) hypotropia in primary
position, (3) diplopia, or (4) marked shootdown with
adduction. As children with Brown syndrome grow
taller, more of their world is straight ahead and below,
meaning the implication of Brown syndrome is less.
Patients with untreated mild congenital Brown syn-
drome are seldom bothered by this condition as
adults. The same degree of acquired, especially iatro-
genic, Brown syndrome usually causes bothersome
symptoms in adults. Patients with congenital Brown
147
Chapter 5
syndrome are in marked contrast to patients with
Duane syndrome who tend to become increasingly
troubled by their strabismus in adulthood, far out of
proportion to what seems a minimal deviation while
patients with congenital Brown syndrome are not par-
ticularly bothered as adults.
When treating congenital Brown syndrome sur-
gically we do a cuffed limbal incision, hook the
superior rectus, and inspect the superior oblique ten-
don carefully, beginning at the insertion and continu-
ing to the trochlear cuff. In most cases, in order to
have better exposure, it helps to disinsert the superior
rectus and replace it later. Forced ductions are repeat-
ed often during the process of identifying the tendon
to determine the cause of limited elevation. The best
treatment for congenital Brown varies according to
the surgeons experience and may be one of the least
agreed upon aspects of strabismus surgery. This is
not too surprising because freeing a mechanical
restriction while simultaneously maintaining ade-
quate rotations in all directions may be the strabismus
surgeons greatest challenge. Most surgeons believe
that the least amount of surgery that will free ductions
is the best. For example, one surgical option is disin-
sertion of the posterior seven-eights of the superior
oblique insertion at least as a first try. If this frees
passive ductions at surgery, no more surgery is done.
This works very well in a few cases, probably
because the posterior-medial fibers of the tendon have
mainly a vertical effect, but the procedure can fail
with return of the Brown in spite of demonstrating
free forced ductions at the conclusion of surgery.
Other surgical options, all involving the superior
oblique complex, include freeing the fascia surround-
ing the tendon, recession of the tendon, tenotomy
near the insertion, tenotomy between the superior rec-
tus and trochlea, and use of a silicone expander. All
techniques have their advocates. The fact that there
are so many choices leads to the undeniable conclu-
sion that no specific alternative is the best for all
cases.
Regardless of how the superior oblique is
weakened, the risk of postoperative superior oblique
palsy exists. Crawford found this frequently. Parks
suggests simultaneous inferior oblique weakening to
treat the presumed superior oblique palsy caused by
superior oblique weakening to treat the Brown syn-
drome. However, Sprunger et al., found only a third
of patients having superior oblique tenectomy for
Brown syndrome had superior oblique palsy requir-
ing inferior oblique weakening. They suggest doing
inferior oblique weakening at a second procedure and
only if needed.
Iatrogenic Brown syndrome results from exces-
sive shortening the superior oblique tendon when
treating superior oblique palsy with a resection or a
tuck. It occurs because the distance between the
trochlea and the superior oblique insertion cannot be
148
increased normally in upgaze during elevation in
adduction. During a period of 10 years, I treated 59
patients with tuck or resection of the superior
oblique. Nine of these 59 or 17% had a postoperative
Brown syndrome so severe that a second surgery was
needed to take down the tuck. Since that series of
cases, I have learned about the wide variation in the
superior oblique tendon, especially in congenital
superior oblique palsy. With this knowledge, superi-
or oblique tuck and resection are done on a more
selective basis, being reserved for congenital superior
oblique palsy with a loose or anomalously inserted
tendon confirmed by the superior oblique traction test
and reconfirmed at surgery.
Traumatic Brown syndrome is difficult to treat.
The scarring associated with trauma in the area of the
superior oblique tendon and trochlea is difficult if not
impossible to totally eradicate to produce free move-
ment because of the mechanical restriction which
usually affects both up- and downgaze. Traumatic
Brown syndrome coexisting with superior oblique
underaction has been called canine tooth syndrome
by Knapp. It is due to (1) local trauma restricting
both upgaze and downgaze, (2) local trauma restrict-
ing upgaze and fourth nerve palsy restricting
downgaze, or (3) iatrogenic Brown syndrome restrict-
ing upgaze and residual fourth nerve palsy restricting
downgaze (Figure 13).
Before undertaking surgery for Brown syn-
drome, the surgeon must first confirm the diagnosis
by demonstrating restricted forced ductions at eleva-
tion in adduction then:
1. Make sure there is a good reason for under-
taking surgery, such as diplopia, hypertropia,
or a bothersome head posture
2. Prepare the patient to have lowered expecta-
tions
3. Be ready for a possible second surgery,
including treatment for iatrogenic superior
oblique palsy, especially if a superior oblique
tenectomy is done.
4. Do not weaken the inferior oblique at the first
procedure.
5. Remember that the little people grow up,
meaning that restricted upgaze could become
less of a factor.
6. Apply any other good points that experience
has taught.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Figure 13 Scheme of Brown Syndrome
Duane syndrome
Duane syndrome, or Stilling-Turk-Duane syn-
drome, was described before the turn of the 20th cen-
tury. It is characterized by limitation of abduction or
adduction, narrowing of the fissure with enophthal-
mos, and face turn all of which vary according to the
class of Duane. The etiology of Duane syndrome is
agenesis of the sixth nerve nucleus in the brain stem
on the involved side plus misdirection of the third
nerve innervation to the medial rectus. This misdi-
rected medial rectus innervation goes to the lateral
rectus in the orbit. The sixth nerve nucleus patholo-
gy was found originally in an autopsy specimen
obtained at his request from an ophthalmologist, Otto
Pranjen, of the Mayo Clinic. Pranjen, who had Duane
syndrome, willed has brain for study. Later, Miller
and Green confirmed the third nerve misdirection.
They found third nerve fibers intended for the medial
rectus going to the lateral rectus in the orbit during
post-mortem studies of a patient examined before
death and confirmed to have Duane. Earlier, Huber
had demonstrated co-firing of the medial and lateral
recti with electromyography.
Duane syndrome has been classified by Huber
according to alignment and ocular rotations into
classes I, II and III.
or inferred
I. Marked limitation of abduction (or
absence), normal or slightly defective
adduction, narrowing of the palpebral fis-
sure and retraction of the globe on adduc-
tion, widening of the fissure on attempted
abduction with esotropia in the primary
position, and head turn toward the
involved side.
II. Limitation or absence of adduction,
exotropia of the affected eye, normal or
reduced abduction, narrowing of the fis-
sure on attempted adduction, often with
upshoot or downshoot, and face turn
toward the normal eye.
III. Limited abduction and adduction, retrac-
tion of the globe, and narrowing of the fis-
sure on attempted adduction with straight
or nearly straight eyes in the primary posi-
tion and often with upshoot or downshoot.
There is usually no face turn.
It may be easier to keep the different types of Duane
syndrome in mind by simply describing the primary
position alignment. The majority of patients with
Duane syndrome have an esotropia of the involved
eye when the head is straightened. When the patient
is allowed to assume the most comfortable head pos-
ture, the face invariable turns toward the involved
149
Chapter 5
side and the eyes toward the opposite side. In most
cases, these patients are able to recognize normal or
near-normal stereopsis and rarely have amblyopia.
Enophthalmos with fissure narrowing usually occurs
in the involved eye only during attempts to extreme
adduction. Abduction in the involved eye is typically
just beyond the midline. Upshoot and downshoot are
not a prominent feature.
Other patients with Duane syndrome are either
orthotropic in the primary position or have an
exotropia in the primary position. The primary posi-
tion alignment seems to depend on the tightness or
tone of the lateral rectus muscle. The tighter the later-
al rectus muscle the less esotropic the patient (the
straighter or more exotropic the involved eye), and
the greater the enophthalmos on attempts at adduction
in the involved eye. These patients with a tight later-
al rectus are also more likely to have up and/or down-
shoot of the involved eye in adduction. This holds
true except in patients who have a very large-angle
exotropia with Duane syndrome. These patients can
demonstrate simultaneous abduction when looking
toward the sound eye. This is presumably due to the
mechanical advantage assumed by the lateral rectus
during co-contraction with the eye already widely
exodeviated. This could be called class IV.
The upshoot or downshoot in Duane is not due
to over- or undercorrection of the oblique muscles but
is instead caused by a taut wire effect with the eye
either slipping above or below the midline under the
influence of the extreme tension produced by medial
rectus contraction against a co-contracting lateral rec-
tus. The extreme type of exotropic Duane syndrome
with simultaneous abduction was originally called
perversion of the extraocular muscles. It is more
accurately described as simultaneous abduction. This
condition is rare, but I have seen a half dozen cases.
Regardless of the variations in clinical appear-
ance, all Duane syndrome patients appear to have a
common etiology, just a varied expression. The con-
dition seems to be slightly more prevalent in girls and
in the left eye. It is usually unilateral but may be
bilateral. In bilateral Duane the rules for head posi-
tion do not follow. Duane syndrome has been
described as a genetic condition occurring in siblings
and in consecutive generations. Duane syndrome is
also associated with craniofacial-mandibular cleft
anomalies including Goldenhar and Wildervanck syn-
dromes. Children with Duane syndrome rarely com-
plain. They are usually brought in for examination
because of the head turn or strabismus, but often par-
ents are really unsure about the specific problem.
They simply suspect that there is something wrong.
On the other hand, adults with Duane syndrome often
complain bitterly of asthenopia, intermittent diplopia,
and a general feeling of being ill at ease.
Indications for surgery for Duane syndrome
include strabismus in the primary position, unaccept-
150
able head posture, severe up- and downshoot of the
affected eye in adduction, and severe enophthalmos.
The most common type of Duane syndrome--the type
with moderate esotropia in the primary position along
with face turn toward the involved eye--is best treat-
ed with a small recession of the medial rectus of the
involved eye. Other types of Duane syndrome are
treated with the aim of aligning the eyes in the pri-
mary position. It is a good rule to avoid resection of
the lateral rectus muscle in Duane syndrome. This
can lead to worsening of enophthalmos and up- and
downshoot. Some have advocated modified full ten-
don transfer of the superior and inferior rectus to the
lateral rectus to increase the field of binocular vision.
I have not done this procedure, but it has been done
safely and there could be indications for doing this.
When up- and downshoot are the main problems, it
may be appropriate to recess both the medial and lat-
eral recti of the involved eye and also the medial or
lateral rectus of the fellow eye. Other techniques for
treating the up- and downshoot include posterior fix-
ation suture of the lateral rectus muscle to keep it
from slipping upward and downward and also Y split
of the insertion of the lateral rectus muscle (Table 14).
When treating Duane syndrome, it is essential
to know and also to inform the patient that this con-
dition cannot be eliminated; however, the signs and
symptoms can be improved by appropriate surgery.
Practical classification of Duane
syndrome
Esotropic Duane - Huber I
1. Esotropia with head straight
2. Face turn to involved side
3. Limited abduction
4. Near normal adduction
5. Mild enophthalmos and fissure narrowing
on adduction (but may be severe)
6. Sensory examination usually normal
Exotropic Duane - Huber II
1. Face turn toward normal side
2. Limitation of adduction and no or min-
imal limitation of abduction
3. Marked upshoot and downshoot on
attempted adduction
4. Enophthalmos and fissure narrowing on
attempted adduction, usually with up-
shoot and downshoot
5. More likely to suppress
Straight Duane - Huber III
1. Limited abduction and adduction
2. Marked narrowing of fissure on attempt
ed adduction with enophthalmos
3. Upshoot and downshoot on attempted
adduction
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

Diagnosis Surgery

Esotropic Duane I Recess medial rectus on involved side* -- consider poste-

rior fixation suture contralateral medial rectus

Esotropic Duane with severe enophthalmos I Recess medial and lateral recti of involved eye, medial
rectus recession or posterior fixation suture on contralat-
eral eye if larger esotropia

Straight-eye Duane with up- and downshoot III Recess medial and lateral recti of involved eye if enoph-
thalmos severe; consider Y split of lateral rectus or poste-
rior fixation suture of lateral rectus (both with or without
recession)
Exotropic Duane II Recess lateral rectus of involved eye; can add Y split;
may require larger lateral rectus recession of uninvolved
eye.

Simultaneous abduction IV Recess both lateral recti; emphasis on the involved side;
may need to resect medial rectus of involved eye

* Extraocular muscle transfer shifting the vertical recti adjacent to the lateral rectus insertion of the involved eye has been done and may
be a viable option for mild esotropic Duane.
Table 14 Duane treatment guidelines

4. Straight or nearly straight head posture

5. Normal or near normal sensory examina- Most common findings of Duane syndrome
tion in 50 consecutive cases seen in consultation
with ORBIS Telemedicine
Simultaneous abduction - EMH IV
1. Large-angle exotropia
2. Face turn to uninvolved side Female 32/50
3. No adduction Left eye 25/45*
4. Simultaneous abduction looking toward V pattern 21/50
uninvolved side Upshoot 24/50
5. Usually suppresses Minimal amblyopia 6/50
I Head turn toward involved side
II Head turn toward normal
Superior oblique palsy III Head posture straight
Superior oblique palsy is the most commonly IV Head turn toward normal
occurring isolated cranial nerve palsy seen by the Class I common 25/50
strabismologist. However, I do not know of any reli- Class II nearly as common 16/50
able figures comparing the relative occurrence of Class III less common 8/50
fourth and sixth nerve palsies. Certainly, third nerve Class IV rare 1/50
palsy is rarer than either fourth or sixth nerve palsy. Hyperopia 23/50
In some practices, particularly those of the neuro- Right eye 20/50
ophthalmologist, sixth nerve palsy may be the most Bilateral 5/50
common.
*excluding 5 bilateral cases
Superior oblique palsy can occur from trauma,
congenital causes, a microvascular accident, and from
a mass lesion. These etiologies are differentiated pri-
marily on the basis of history with additional infor-
mation obtained from physical and imaging findings.

151
Chapter 5
The fourth nerve nucleus is in the rostral part of
the brain stem in the tectum. The nerve fibers emerge
from the nucleus dorsally and decussate. The fibers
then pass through the tentorium as delicate fibrils.
They course into the orbit through the superior orbital
fissure where they have as their sole purpose the
innervation of the superior oblique muscle. These
delicate fibrils are vulnerable to violent to-and-fro
motion of the brain, such as occurs with a sudden
deceleration in an automobile accident or similar
head trauma.
Patient presentation
History. The patient or parents of the patient
frequently either describe an acute event (such as a
motor vehicle accident) that is likely to be the cause
of a traumatic fourth nerve palsy or report a history of
diplopia, asthenopia, or anomalous head posture,
often present for many years or for life. Occasionally,
old pictures demonstrating a head tilt and chin
depression are useful in supporting the diagnosis of
congenital superior oblique palsy.
Head posture. The usual head posture in supe-
rior oblique palsy is the head tilted to the opposite
side with the chin depressed. Actually, the head
moves where the eye cannot be moved by the paretic
superior oblique. This is the rule when fusion poten-
tial is present in a person with incomitant strabismus.
With the head in this posture, the eyes look upward
and to the opposite side, completely out of (opposite)
the field of action of the paretic muscle. In a very
small percentage of patients, the head posture may be
in the opposite direction, presumably to maximize the
separation of diplopia and make it easier to suppress.
Torticollis. Neck contracture can occur in very
young children with superior oblique palsy.
However, neck contracture from superior oblique
palsy does not occur before the child sits up and/or
walks. The head tilt from superior oblique palsy does
not occur with the child supine or prone but only
when the child is vertically oriented, sitting, standing
up or walking.
Motility. Versions are an extremely important
part of the diagnosis of superior oblique palsy. The
most tell-tale finding is inferior oblique overaction,
and to a lesser extent superior oblique underaction,
which occurs to varying degrees. Sometimes the
superior oblique underaction is slight or undetectable.
Diplopia. Vertical diplopia is a common com-
plaint in adult patients but rare in children.
Asthenopia is also common in adults. This may take
the form of neck ache while reading.
Chin depression. In the presence of a V pattern
the chin is often down. This occurs with bilateral
superior oblique palsy.
Cyclodiplopia. Spontaneous complaint of
cyclodiplopia is a common sign of acquired bilateral
superior oblique palsy. It also occurs in iatrogenic
152
Brown syndrome after superior oblique strengthen-
ing.
Double Maddox rod torsion. Seeing a tilted
line on testing with double Maddox rod is very sup-
portive of the diagnosis of superior oblique palsy.
This usually means that the superior oblique palsy is
acquired.
Overaction of the contralateral superior
oblique. Underaction of the ipsilateral inferior rectus
(so-called fixation duress because it is working
against a contracted antagonist) and overaction of the
contralateral superior oblique, its yoke, occurs in
longstanding superior oblique palsy with contracture
of the ipsilateral superior rectus.
Double Maddox rod torsion greater than 15
degrees. This is a strong indication of bilateral supe-
rior oblique palsy.
Bielschowsky head tilt test. This test is consid-
ered positive for superior oblique palsy when the ver-
tical deviation increases with the head tilted toward
the higher eye. If the Bielschowsky head tilt test
reverses, then a bilateral superior oblique palsy is sus-
pected. If the Bielschowsky head tilt test does not
reverse but is reduced to no or very little hypertropia
in the same direction on tilt to the side opposite the
paretic superior oblique, a masked bilateral superior
oblique palsy may be suspected.
Fundus torsion. Torsion may be noted during
examination with the indirect ophthalmoscope. If the
macula is rotated downward or clockwise in the left
eye and counterclockwise in the right eye, so that the
macula is below a line drawn parallel to the orbit
floor and temporal from the lower disc margin, tor-
sion can be inferred. This is confirmed if the macula
is also shown to be roughly equidistant between the
temporal arcades while in its lower position.
Inhibitional palsy of the contralateral antago-
nist. When the eye with the paretic superior oblique
is used for fixation the yoke inferior rectus in the con-
tralateral eye receives extra innervation. Its antago-
nist, the superior rectus and also the levator palpebri
on that side are inhibited resulting in hypotropia and
more importantly, pseudoptosis. When the normal
eye takes up fixation, the ptosis disappears.
Other indicators.
1. Diagnostic position prism and cover testing is
more important for quantification of the deviation
than it is for diagnosis.
2. Facial asymmetry is seen commonly in cases of
congenital superior oblique palsy. The face is
always fuller on the side of the paretic muscle.
The reason for this is the abnormal head posture
assumed to maintain single binocular vision.
3. Horizontal strabismus can occur in addition to the
superior oblique palsy.
4. Amblyopia in the presence of congenital superior
oblique palsy may indicate an abnormal or even
absent superior oblique.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
When the preceding considerations have been
dealt with and when full measurements have been
completed, especially prism and cover testing in the
diagnostic positions, double Maddox rod testing, and
the head tilt test, it is possible to diagnose, classify,
and establish a treatment plan for a patient with supe-
rior oblique palsy.
Acquired superior oblique palsy
Patients with acquired unilateral palsy will usu-
ally have the following characteristics:
A discrete history of onset
Complaint of intermittent vertical diplopia
Head tilt and chin depression with a comment,
I see better if I assume this head position
Measurable torsion with the double Maddox
rod, less than 15 degrees
A vertical deviation usually less than 20 prism
diopters (deviation may be greater at near and
in longstanding cases).
Bilateral acquired superior oblique palsy differs
in that a V pattern is the rule; single vision is more
likely to occur in upgaze with chin down;
Bielschowsky test is bilaterally positive; that is, right
hyper with right tilt and left hyper with left tilt or the
hyper may disappear or nearly so on head tilt to one
side; and the Maddox rod frequently shows a
cyclotropia of greater than 15 degrees.
Unilateral superior oblique palsy from a
microvascular accident is usually much smaller
amplitude than unilateral superior oblique palsy from
trauma. These patients usually have a vertical devia-
tion in the neighborhood of 5 to 10 prism diopters and
are older, being more often in the seventh or eighth
decade, and they complain of diplopia. They may not
demonstrate a head tilt. These patients deserve a med-
ical/neurological work up for hypertension, diabetes,
etc.
In the operating room, patients with acquired
superior oblique palsy, either unilateral or bilateral,
will usually be found to have a normal superior
oblique tendon on the traction test. The tendon is
very easily felt, and the traction test is usually bilater-
ally symmetrical in unilateral disease.
Congenital superior oblique palsy
There is usually no history of trauma.
The condition is long-standing and character-
ized by a large head tilt and supported by fam-
ily pictures showing a head tilt.
In cases of absence of the superior oblique ten-
don, amblyopia and horizontal strabismus are
common.
Facial asymmetry is common in all types of
congenital superior oblique palsy. The face is
fuller on the involved side.
There is frequently no torsion measured with
the double Maddox rod.
There are fewer complaints of diplopia in con-
genital compared to acquired superior oblique
palsy.
In the operating room, patients with congenital
superior oblique palsy a frequently found to have a
lax superior oblique traction test (see page 97). At
exploration of a superior oblique tendon that was
found to be loose or lax with the traction test, an
anomalous superior oblique tendon will be noted to
be either too long, inserted in the wrong place, or
absent.
Superior oblique treatment
classification
Treatment is based on prism cover measure-
ment findings, torsion, and the results of superior
oblique traction testing indicating the state of the ten-
don. Hatched areas shown in the diagrams on the fol-
lowing pages represent the field of greater deviation
and assume left superior oblique palsy. The pattern of
deviation is the examiners view.
The scheme described here is that proposed by
Philip Knapp in 1971. It remains, with a few modifi-
cations, valid today (Figure 14).
153
Chapter 5
Figure 14 Superior oblique palsy -- scheme for etiology
Class I
Knapp I--overaction of antagonist inferior
oblique with deviation about 20 prism diopters or less
in the field of action of the antagonist; this is a com-
mon pattern for both acquired and congenital superi-
or oblique palsy
Surgery. Weaken antagonist inferior oblique.
This is the safest surgical procedure for any superi-
or oblique palsy.
154
Class II
Knapp II--underaction of the paretic superior
oblique with the deviation greater in the field of
action of the paretic superior oblique seen mostly in
smaller angle, acquired microvascular superior
oblique palsy. This is best treated with prism and
time. A larger angle deviation with this pattern can
occur in congenital absence of the superior oblique
tendon. If a pattern like this emerges in a congenital
superior oblique palsy with facial asymmetry and
pronounced superior oblique underaction, superior
oblique traction testing followed by exploration of the
superior oblique will lead to the appropriate surgical
plan which could include superior oblique tuck, infe-
rior oblique weakening, or yoke inferior rectus weak-
ening depending on the angle and the state of the
superior oblique.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus
Class III
Knapp III--In this class, the deviation is
approximately equal in the field of the paretic superi-
or oblique and the antagonist inferior oblique.
Surgery. If the deviation is less than 20 prism
diopters in the field of greater deviation, only the
antagonist inferior oblique weakening is done. If it is
greater than 20 prism diopters and the superior
oblique traction test reveals a lax tendon, and con-
genital superior oblique palsy is diagnosed, a tuck of
the superior oblique can be performed; if the superior
oblique tendon is tight, the yoke muscle, the con-
tralateral inferior rectus, is recessed. If the surgeon
chooses not to tuck the superior oblique tendon, even
though lax, recession of the yoke can be done.
Class IV
This common pattern of hyperdeviation which
is class III demonstrates a spread of hyperdeviation
across the bottom occurring because of tightness of
the ipsilateral superior rectus.
Surgery. If the deviation is 20 prism diopters
or less, weakening of the antagonist inferior oblique
and ipsilateral superior rectus is effective. If the devi-
ation is greater, the superior oblique tendon can be
tucked if it is loose or the yoke inferior rectus can be
recessed if the superior oblique tendon is normal.
Class V
A hyperdeviation across the bottom can be the
pattern in a long-standing acquired superior oblique
palsy pattern.
Surgery. If the vertical deviation is around 20
prism diopters, the ipsilateral superior rectus is
recessed and either the superior oblique is tucked, the
yoke inferior rectus is recessed or the ipsilateral infe-
rior oblique is weakened. The recommendation to
weaken the contralateral superior oblique along with
a tuck of the involved superior oblique originally rec-
ommended by Knapp is a bad idea. Only a lax ten-
don should be tucked and be wary of weakening the
normal superior oblique in a fusing patient!
Class VI
Bilateral superior oblique palsy
This condition is characterized by:
1. History of trauma
2. Spontaneous torsional diplopia
3. Usually >15 degrees torsion with double
Maddox rod testing
4. V pattern
5. Reversing Bielschowsky (or nearly revers-
ing Bielschowsky) test
Surgery. There is little agreement among
experts when it comes to surgical treatment of bilat-
eral superior oblique palsy. Bilateral weakening of
the yoke inferior obliques is favored by some to treat
the V and the torsion. Others do a bilateral reces-
sion of the inferior recti. The strength of either pro-
cedure is that the weakening is done on a normal mus-
cle, one is a yoke and the other an antagonist.
Bilateral weakening of the antagonist inferior
obliques likewise treats the V and the torsion, but
depends on getting more out of a paretic muscle.
Antero-lateral shift of the superior oblique (Harada-
Ito) treats the torsion. For the V, downshift of the
medial recti can be done. The superior oblique ten-
don should not be tucked.
155
Chapter 5
Class VII
Brown syndrome with superior
oblique underaction (canine tooth)
This condition is characterized by:
1. History of trauma to the trochlea with
mechanical restriction in upgaze and
downgaze.
2. Trauma to the trochlea restricting upgaze and
residual superior oblique palsy restricting
downgaze.
3. Can occur as an iatrogenic Brown after supe-
rior oblique tuck with residual superior
oblique underaction.
This problem is difficult to treat. My treatment sug-
gestions are:
1. None -- if eyes are aligned around primary
2. Yoke inferior rectus recession -- if ipsilateral
hyper
3. Take down tuck, if caused by a too tight tuck
4. Free superior oblique restriction if ipsilateral
hypo
156
Congenital superior oblique palsy on
an anatomic basis
When a congenital superior oblique palsy with
an anomalous tendon is encountered first by finding a
loose superior oblique traction test and then after the
tendon is exposed, strengthening of the tendon is
carried out on the basis of what is found.
In 190 cases of superior oblique palsy treated by
our group, 87% of those diagnosed as congenital had
an anomalous superior oblique tendon. The majority
of these had a redundant tendon that is class I anatom-
ic superior oblique palsy. These are the superior
oblique palsy patients who may be treated with supe-
rior oblique tuck or resection if the tendon is suffi-
ciently loose or lax. A legitimate question is, When
lax tendons are found in cases of V pattern congen-
ital esotropia is this a form of bilateral congenital
superior oblique palsy? (Figure 15). Congenital
anatomic superior oblique palsy is always associat-
ed with a lax superior oblique traction test.
The patient with superior oblique palsy must be
managed with a comprehensive program of diagnosis
and treatment.
In summary, superior oblique palsy treatment
consists of:
1. Fresnel prism for acute symptomatic
microvascular fourth nerve palsy
2. Permanent prism for selected small-angle
acquired small angle fourth nerve palsy
3. Surgery according to angle and pattern for
unilateral acquired fourth nerve palsy; avoid
superior oblique tendon tuck; an anterior
transfer may be done if torsion is the main
problem
4. In congenital superior oblique palsy with ten-
don anomaly surgery is concentrated on the
antagonist, the yoke, and the lax superior
oblique tendon.
5. The safest surgical procedure in any superior
oblique palsy is weakening of the antagonist
inferior oblique
6. In longstanding superior oblique palsy weak-
en a tight ipsilateral superior rectus if there is
underaction of the ipsilateral inferior rectus
and/or overaction of the contralateral superior
oblique.
7. Bilateral superior oblique palsy can be treated
with weakening of the yoke, weakening of the
antagonist, and antero-lateral shift of the
superior oblique.
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

8. Be aware of the possibility of masked bilater-
al superior oblique palsy. If the Bielschowsky
head tilt reverses, or nearly does, be suspi-
cious. Either treat this as a unilateral superi-
or oblique palsy and expect to do a second
procedure or do two muscles on the more
involved side and one muscle on the masked
side according to the scheme presented.
Work-up of a patient with acquired superior
oblique palsy should in most cases be kept to a mini-
mum. The etiology is usually clear-cut trauma, well-
established congenital disease, or less clear presumed
microvascular disease in an elderly individual. In the
last instance, an evaluation by an internist for hyper-
tension and/or diabetes is needed. Extensive imaging
with CT or MRI or lumbar puncture and EEG studies
rarely accomplish anything useful for the usual supe-
rior oblique palsy patient. In my opinion, extensive
testing of the patient with fourth nerve palsy should
be done only if indications other than the fourth nerve
palsy itself are noted. By that I mean other significant
neurologic signs or symptoms.

Class I. Redundant tendon Class II. Misdirected tendon

Class III. Tendon in Tenons Class IV. Absent tendon

Figure 15
Description of the superior oblique tendon in anatomic congenital superior oblique palsy.

157
Chapter 5

TABLE I: PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS AND PREOPERATIVE DATA FOR 190 CASES OF SUPERIOR OBLIQUE PALSY

Sex
Male: 105
Female: 85
Age
Range: 6mo-79yr
Mean: 28.8+/-22.2 yr
Mean for congenital group: 24.1+/-21.1 yr
Mean for acquired group: 40.9+/-20.5 yr
Refraction
Mean: -0.49+/-3.04 diopters
Visual Acuity
Mean: 20/25
Median: 20/20
Congenital/acquired
Congenital: 137
Acquired: 53
Origin: Trauma 29
Iatrogenic 12
Vascular 7
Tumor 5
Knapp Classifications
Class I: 28
Class II: 13
Class III: 65
Class IV: 53
Glass V: 5
Class VI: 19
Class VII: 1
Class VIII: 6*
Laterality
Right: 92
Left: 79
Bilateral: 19
Facial asymmetry
Present: 56 51 congenital 5 acquired
Absent: 69 40 congenital 29 acquired
Unknown: 65 46 congenital 19 acquired
Abnormal head posture:
Right tilt: 55
Left tilt: 70
Others (eg, head turn, chin down): 10
No abnormal head posture: 39
Unknown: 16
Forced duction tests
Tests performed: 161
Tendon laxity: 95 83 congenital
12 acquired
No tendon laxity: 66 37 congenital
29 acquired

*Type VIII = comitant vertical deviation

Table 15
Patient demographics and preoperative data for 190 cases of superior oblique palsy.
From Helveston EM, et al. Surgical treatment of superior oblique palsy. Transactions of the American Ophthalmological
Society, Vol. XCIV, 1996, pp. 315-334. Used with permission.

158
 Diagnostic categories & classification of strabismus

Table 16
From Helveston EM, et al. Surgical treatment of superior oblique palsy. Transactions of the American Ophthalmological
Society, Vol. XCIV, 1996, pp. 315-334. Used with permission.

159
 Section 3

Chapter 6: Mechanics of surgery

Chapter 7: Recession of a rectus muscle

Chapter 8: Resection of a rectus muscle

Chapter 9: Surgery of the obliques

Chapter 10: Marginal myotomy: technique and

considerations

Chapter 11: Faden operation (posterior fixation suture)

Chapter 12: Adjustable sutures: techniques for

restriction

Chapter 13: Muscle transposition procedures

Chapter 14: Botox (Botulinum A toxin)


The mechanics of surgery
Techniques of exposure
Conjunctival incision
Overview
The conjunctival incision for strabismus surgery
has two main requirements: 1) it should provide ade-
quate exposure to the muscle(s) to be operated on,
and 2) it should avoid excessive scarring and leave
the conjunctiva in the palpebral opening white and
smooth after healing has taken place. A technique for
incising the conjunctiva satisfying the first require-
ment was devised by Swan who described doing
extraocular muscle surgery beneath Tenon's capsule.
With this technique, conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's
capsule are incised isolating the muscle in the plane
of posterior Tenon's capsule. This tissue layer makes
up the intermuscular membrane and the muscle's cap-
sule. Posterior Tenon's capsule is incised separately to
expose sclera. This provides access to the muscle in
a physiologic "compartment" lying between anterior
Tenon's capsule and sclera. Swans contribution was
significant because it introduced a logical approach to
the tissue planes around the rectus muscles. The
drawback is that the Swan incision is made over the
muscle's insertion and thereby in the palpebral open-
ing where it could heal as a raised, reddened ridge.
The techniques currently used for conjunctival
incision like that of Swan adhere to the principle of
operating beneath anterior Tenon's capsule, but they
differ in location of the initial incision through con-
junctiva and in the degree of exposure of the muscle.
Techniques achieving suitable exposure of the
extraocular muscles include the following:
1. Transconjunctival incision in the cul-de-sac
(Parks)
2. Limbal incision in the palpebral opening
3. Retropalpebral transconjunctival incision
4. Superior cuffed limbal incision
All of these techniques have in common an incision
through conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's capsule, and
posterior Tenon's capsule exposing bare sclera. Each
6
of these steps must be accomplished before attempt-
ing to engage the extraocular muscle on a hook. Once
sclera has been identified, the tip of the muscle hook
slightly indents sclera at the muscle border and is then
passed gently behind the muscle insertion, or in the
case of the inferior oblique, behind the muscle's belly.
Any impedance of the passage of the hook behind the
muscle insertion suggests that the hook is in the
wrong plane. Clean engagement of the extraocular
muscle on the muscle hook is necessary for the start
of successful strabismus surgery
Start of the surgical procedure
Surgery on the extraocular muscles starts with
the placement of a lid speculum between the lids for
exposure to the front of the eye. A light, adjustable
solid bladed speculum is ideal. A standard adult size
is used for adults and a pediatric size for children (see
Chapter 2). With the speculum in place, it is now
possible to see the insertion of the rectus muscles
through the conjunctiva in most cases. These appear
beneath the conjunctival surface as a subtle elevation
slightly darker than the surround. Rotation of the eye
at this point enhances the view of these muscles and
also in some cases the anterior ciliary vessels further
delineating the rectus muscles. Seeing these muscle
insertions aids in orientation for the placement of the
incision, especially when the eye has undergone
torsion as it sometimes does with general anesthesia.
Next, it is important to perform forced or passive
ductions in abduction, adduction, elevation and
depression testing for restrictions. The superior
oblique traction test is done if there is any question
about laxity of the superior oblique tendon (see page
97).
163
Chapter 6

Traction sutures Choice of incision

At this time traction sutures, usually 4-0 silk, are Limbal incision
placed if that is the surgeons choice. They are put in
The limbal incision provides the best exposure to
episclera at the 6 and 12 o'clock limbus for surgery on
any of the extraocular muscles but especially the rec-
the horizontal recti and at the 3 and 9 o'clock posi-
tus muscles (Figure 3A). This incision is easy to
tions for surgery on the vertical recti (Figure 1). A
make and manage while working on the muscle. The
locking forceps, preferably curved, can be placed at
disadvantages of this incision are: 1) it requires care-
the limbus at the appropriate position to achieve
ful closure, 2) some bleeding can occur from episcle-
retraction and stabilization for surgery on any of the
ral vessels, and 3) a ridge can be seen at the limbus
muscles (Figure 2).
postoperatively if tissue edges have not been closed

A B

Figure 1
A Four-0 black silk sutures are placed in episclera at the
12 o'clock and 6 o'clock limbus for traction to rotate the
eye medially or laterally for exposure with the limbal
incision.
B Four-0 black silk sutures are placed in episclera at the 3
o'clock and 9 o'clock position to rotate the eye upward or
downward for exposure with the limbal incision.

A B

Figure 2
A locking forceps is placed at the limbus of the right eye grasping conjunctiva and episclera to rotate the eye:
A down and in to expose the superior temporal quadrant; C up and out to expose the inferior nasal quadrant prior
B up and in to expose the inferior temporal quadrant; to the cul-de-sac incision to expose the medial rectus.

164

A B
Figure 3
A The locations of the limbal incision for exposure of each
of the rectus muscles.
B The locations of the cul-de-sac incision. The most useful
one is in the inferior nasal quadrant for exposure of the
medial rectus.
properly. While these disadvantages may sound
daunting, they can be managed easily with sufficient
care on the part of the surgeon. Those who routinely
use the limbal incision can manage the bleeding when
it occurs and tend to become skilled at conjunctival
closure. Above all, these surgeons appreciate the
excellent exposure leading to what some believe is
more accurate surgery. The limbal incision has the
advantage of making postoperative handling of an
adjustable suture much easier. This incision is also
important in that it allows for removal of scarred and
unsightly conjunctiva in some cases of reoperation,
and most important the limbal incision allows for
recession of tight, restrictive conjunctiva, with or
without scarring, in cases of strabismus influenced by
these mechanical factors.
Cul-de-sac incision
The cul-de-sac incision devised by Parks has
the advantage of being hidden behind the lid. (Figure
3B) In addition, it usually requires no suture for clo-
sure at least inferiorly where it is used most. The
patient may be more comfortable in the immediate
postoperative period if no excessive swelling occurs
* In this case, older can refer to patients as young as late teens or early twenties.
Mechanics of surgery
C Locations of the conjunctival incision for exposure of the
oblique muscles: 1) inferior oblique, 2) superior oblique
(trochlea) nasal to the superior rectus, 3) superior oblique
tendon at the insertion.
over the muscle. Disadvantages of the cul-de-sac
incision are the following: 1) it is more difficult to
perform; 2) exposure is less than with other incisions
especially the limbal incision. The view with the cul-
de-sac incision has been described as peek a boo; 3)
there is no opportunity for recession of the conjuncti-
va; 4) fragile conjunctiva such as is present in older*
people can tear as the incision is stretched over the
muscle's insertion; 5) postoperative handling of an
adjustable suture can be more difficult.
After listing all of these disadvantages, it
should be stated clearly that the cul-de-sac incision is
ideally suited for use with recession of the medial rec-
tus muscle in young children. The thick Tenon's cap-
sule and healthy conjunctiva in the young stretch
readily over the muscle insertion providing good
exposure for surgery. At the conclusion of the proce-
dure, the young firm tissue slides behind the lid and
remains hidden completely if the procedure has been
done properly. Observing such a patient immediately
after surgery it may be difficult to detect that surgery
has been done. This appearance changes slightly a
few hours later when some swelling usually becomes
165
Chapter 6
evident. Although the cul-de-sac incision can be used
to expose the lateral rectus and is also used superior-
ly, the usefulness in these locations is far less than for
exposure of the medial rectus, especially in the
young.
Conjunctival incision for exposing oblique muscles
The conjunctival incision to expose the inferi-
or oblique is made in the middle of the inferior tem-
poral quadrant about 8 mm from the limbus. It is
essential that this initial incision be posterior to the
line of insertion of posterior Tenon's capsule that
describes the spiral of Tillaux. An incision so placed
goes through conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's capsule,
and posterior Tenon's capsule (intermuscular mem-
brane) exposing bare sclera after which the inferior
oblique can be seen as it passes in posterior Tenon's
capsule.
A similar conjunctival incision can be made
just medial to or just lateral to the insertion of the
superior rectus, but also posterior to the insertion of
posterior Tenon's capsule to expose the superior
oblique medial to the superior rectus, near the
trochlea, or at the insertion of the superior oblique
(Figure 3C).
Conjunctival incision and reoperation
Reoperation can be done after either a limbal or
a cul-de-sac incision. The ease of re-operation in
either case depends more on the care exercised by the
original surgeon and the particular nature of healing
in the individual than on the type of incision.
The ideal conjunctival incision should have the
following characteristics:
1. Minimal scar in the palpebral opening
after surgery
2. Adequate exposure
3. Ease of performance
4. Absence of excessive adhesions
between Tenon's capsule, muscle sheath,
and sclera
5. Ease of reoperation
6. Able to allow relaxation of restrictive
scar tissue
7. Allows excision of excessive scar tissue
8. Postoperative comfort
9. Allows for postoperative adjustment
when called for.
166
Unique characteristics of each
extraocular muscle in terms of initial
exposure after the conjunctival
incision
Each of the rectus muscles has its own special
characteristics or personality. The surgeon should
have knowledge of this in advance for the best chance
of success at any surgical undertaking.
Medial rectus
Of the rectus muscles, the medial rectus inserts
closest to the limbus. In the esotropic patient this dis-
tance can vary from 3.0 to 6.0 mm with the stated nor-
mal being 5.5 mm. This variation in insertion site,
along with the fact that there seems to be no relation-
ship between the distance of the insertion from the
limbus and the angle of esotropia in esotropic
patients, is a reason for measuring medial rectus
recession from the limbus rather than the original
insertion. The medial rectus has no other muscle or
orbital fascial structure associated with it other than
the intermuscular membrane to stop its retraction
back into the orbit when it is detached. For this rea-
son, the medial rectus is the most likely of any of the
rectus muscles to fall back into the orbit if a suture
breaks causing what is referred to as a slipped or
lost muscle.
When looking at the orbital surface of the
medial rectus muscle, the origin of anterior Tenon's
capsule can be seen as it joins the medial rectus cap-
sule. Just outside of anterior Tenon's capsule, toward
the medial orbital wall, is the medial rectus pulley. If
a hole is made in the undersurface of anterior Tenon's
capsule at this point fat will prolapse. It is also possi-
ble with more dissection to disengage the medial rec-
tus from its pulley. Disruption of fat is to be avoided!
This can cause unwanted adhesions and worse.
Muscle immersed in fat after surgical intervention
can result in the muscle dissolving! Surgeons differ in
their approach to the intermuscular membrane when
operating on the medial rectus. Minimal dissection of
the tissue seems to be the best choice in my opinion.
In summary, surgery on the medial rectus should be
carried out anterior or distal to the origins of anterior
Tenon's capsule with avoidance of any fat prolapse.
The surgery should avoid disruption of the pulleys
unless this is a stated aim as might be so with a mus-
cle transfer procedure. Minimal dissection of inter-
muscular membrane should be carried out unless
there is a specific reason to do otherwise.
Superior rectus
This muscle is located farthest from the limbus
of the rectus muscles and has the broadest insertion.
It is, in my experience, the most difficult of the rectus
muscles to engage on the muscle hook, especially
when introducing the hook from the temporal side. It
is common to unintentionally split this muscle inser-

tion. When attempting to hook the muscle from
either side, especially temporally, be certain to identi-
fy bare sclera posterior to the insertion of posterior
Tenon's capsule. Once engaged on the muscle hook,
it becomes clear that fat is not likely to be encoun-
tered, even with intermuscular membrane dissection
more than 10 mm posterior to the superior rectus
insertion. The superior oblique tendon is fused to the
undersurface of the superior rectus by a common
capsule. If this connection is not severed it should
reduce the effect of a large recession of the superior
rectus done for treatment of dissociated vertical devi-
ation. This is disputed by some who claim the supe-
rior rectus remains recessed the very large (intended)
amount in spite of not being freed from the underly-
ing superior oblique. Recession of the superior rectus
can cause retraction of the upper lid and widening of
the palpebral fissure and, conversely, resection of the
superior rectus can cause forward movement of the
upper lid and narrowing of the palpebral fissure.
Lateral rectus
The lateral rectus muscle is easy to hook and is
usually found, as stated in anatomy books, 6.9 mm
from the limbus. On the lower border of the lateral
rectus and about 12 mm from the muscles insertion
the anterior corner of the inferior oblique insertion is
found. This is an important relationship. Surgery on
the lateral rectus, either recession or resection, can
result in inadvertent inclusion of the anterior fibers of
the inferior oblique which attach along the lower bor-
der of the lateral rectus. This usually goes unrecog-
nized at the time of surgery. The result is an unex-
pected postoperative hypodeviation, hyperdeviation
or exodeviation or a combination of these. Simply
freeing this attachment at reoperation does not always
cure the problem. It is best to avoid the complication
by making sure that the inferior oblique is not includ-
ed.
Inferior rectus
This muscle is very easy to engage on a hook
and is usually found where it should be, 6.5 mm from
the limbus. Overlying the inferior rectus about 10
mm behind the insertion is a thick mass of fascia
which comprises Lockwood's ligament with the infe-
rior oblique included. This tissue is also connected to
the lower lid retractors. In addition at one or some-
times both inferior rectus borders about 10 mm from
the insertion are found large vortex veins lying on
sclera. These may be seen for several millimeters on
sclera before going through Tenon's capsule and into
the orbit. The relationship of the inferior rectus with
Lockwood's is especially important when dealing
with thyroid ophthalmopathy patients requiring large
inferior rectus recession. Some surgeons dissect
intermuscular membrane well posterior to
Lockwooods, even encountering fat, in order to
achieve a large inferior rectus recession with minimal
Mechanics of surgery
lower lid retraction. Others place a suture in this tis-
sue tying it forward on the globe to keep Lockwood's
and the lower lid retractors forward and thereby
reducing the retraction effect on the lower lid. The
unique relationship of the inferior oblique and inferi-
or rectus may contribute to destabilization of the
inferior rectus-scleral union causing this muscle to
slip after it has been detached and reattached at sur-
gery. This occurs far more frequently with the inferi-
or rectus than other rectus muscles. A less important
but nonetheless present occurrence is the elevation of
the lower lid with narrowing of the fissure with infe-
rior rectus resection.
Inferior oblique
The inferior oblique is engaged in the inferior
temporal quadrant through an incision made just ante-
rior to the mid portion of the distal half of the muscle.
The belly of the inferior oblique is embedded in
Tenon's capsule and must be shelled out. This is not
difficult, but care must be exercised to avoid splitting
the muscle. At the mid portion of the exposed mus-
cle a large vortex vein is seen exiting sclera and enter-
ing the orbit passing through Tenons. This is a near-
ly 100% occurrence. Exposure of the inferior oblique
is helped by triangulating the opening by placing a
muscle hook behind both the lateral and inferior rec-
tus muscles and then using a retractor to pull back the
posterior edge of the conjunctival incision with
Tenons included. Inferior oblique anatomy is quite
reliable although there have been reports of cases of
bifid insertion.
Superior oblique
The superior oblique muscle is not seen during
strabismus surgery but can be seen in some cases of
medial orbitotomy. Neither is the trochlea seen
except for the cuff of tissue where the superior
oblique tendon exits. It is the 30 mm tendon of the
superior oblique that is dealt with during strabismus
surgery. This tendon can be extremely variable in its
site of insertion, tension, and even presence! Absence
of the superior oblique tendon, while not common, is
the most frequently noted absent extraocular muscle
(tendon). Most cases where the superior oblique ten-
don is encountered in surgery are cases of superior
oblique underaction or palsy. A superior oblique trac-
tion test done before an incision is made will give
strong evidence of a tendon anomaly. Since there is
the chance of significant variation with the superior
oblique either contributing to underaction as in supe-
rior oblique palsy or rigidity as in Brown syndrome,
good exposure is required. For this reason it is a good
idea to consider a superior limbal incision to achieve
a thorough look at the superior oblique tendon. An
even better idea is to do the cuffed superior limbal
incision which is described on page 176. For success-
ful superior oblique tendon surgery a good rule is to
obtain good exposure and to expect the unexpected.
167
Chapter 6
Parks cul-de-sac incision
The cul-de-sac incision of Parks is carried out
behind the usual position of either the upper or the
lower lid. This procedure may be accomplished
medially or laterally, superiorly or inferiorly. The
illustrations show the incision being made inferiorly
and nasally in preparation for surgery on the right
medial rectus muscle viewed with the patient upright.
The rationale for this approach is that the space
beneath posterior Tenon's capsule provides access to
the rectus muscles posterior to the line of rectus mus-
cle insertion (spiral of Tillaux) for 360 degrees. Shift
of the incision which is behind the lids to over the
muscles insertion is possible because the conjunctiva
and anterior Tenon's capsule are relatively mobile tis-
sue planes. At the conclusion of an eye muscle oper-
ation done with the cul-de-sac incision, the incised
tissue should slide back completely behind the lid.
This procedure is designed to offer an improved
appearance. Drawbacks of the cul-de-sac incision
include inability to recess the conjunctiva and anteri-
or Tenon's capsule, limited exposure of the extraocu-
lar muscles, and greater difficulty. However, in
instances where good assistance is available and
when it is not necessary to recess the conjunctiva, this
procedure can be performed effectively. The surgeon
must compare these advantages with the greater ver-
satility of the limbal incision along with greater ease
of performance.
The cul-de-sac incision for medial rectus sur-
gery is made approximately 4 mm below the limbus
(Figure 4). It extends 8 mm medially from the junc-
tion of the middle and medial thirds of the cornea,
stopping just short of the base of the plica. A snip
incision is made through the conjunctiva and anterior
Tenon's capsule. A second snip incision through
intermuscular membrane exposes bare sclera. A
small segment of anterior and posterior Tenon's cap-
sule may be excised at this point. The tip of a large
muscle hook is placed on bare sclera and the hook is
guided upward along bare sclera until it is beneath the
medial rectus muscle or the rectus muscle intended.
The hook is then drawn toward the limbus to engage
the muscle at its insertion. A large Green's hook with
a 3 mm tip at right angles at the toe of the hook may
be placed behind the rectus insertion to keep it from
slipping off. A second large muscle hook is placed
beneath anterior Tenon's capsule and is guided supe-
riorly over the original hook. The second hook is
then moved back and forth over the first hook to free
the fine attachments between anterior Tenon's capsule
and the muscle sheath. During this maneuver the
muscle, in its sheath, lies between the two hooks.
The second muscle hook, having loosened the
fascial connection between anterior Tenon's capsule
168
and the muscle sheath, is used to retract anterior
Tenon's capsule and the conjunctiva upward (superi-
orly), exposing the tip of the first muscle hook, which
is now seen at the superior border of the muscle. A
snip incision through the intermuscular membrane
with scissors may be required to fenestrate the inter-
muscular membrane, exposing the tip of the Green's
(or equivalent) muscle hook. The intermuscular
membrane is dissected from the muscle borders
according to the surgeon's preference. With the mus-
cle exposed, sutures may be placed for a recession
procedure. If a resection is planned, an additional
muscle hook or muscle clamp must be inserted to
expose the tendon and muscle posteriorly. It is cus-
tomary to use one double-arm suture when carrying
out recession of a rectus muscle using the cul-de-sac
incision, although two single-arm sutures can be
used. After suture placement for recession, the mus-
cle should be severed from the globe. It is essential
to use two fixation forceps, preferably the curved
self-locking type, at the corners of the insertion to sta-
bilize the globe and keep the incision centered over
the operative site. It is useful to place the first lock-
ing forceps on the stump of the insertion when half of
the muscle insertion is cut free. This allows the assis-
tant to stabilize the globe when the muscle is cut
entirely free. At the conclusion of the procedure, the
conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's capsule are allowed
to relax and slide back to the original incision site
behind the lid. When performed properly, this proce-
dure results in a very benign appearance of the eye in
the immediate postoperative period because the lower
lid hides the incision.
An inferior incision may be closed with inter-
rupted, absorbable sutures or it may be left unsutured.
A superior incision is usually closed because of the
possibility of prolapsed Tenon's capsule hanging
down in the palpebral space. The cul-de-sac incision
does not allow for conjunctival recession but can be
used for reoperations where conjunctival recession is
not indicated. In infants and young children with
healthy conjunctiva and Tenons and where the con-
junctiva is not restricted, I have used the cul-de-sac
incision routinely. I have also used this incision for
re-recession of the medial rectus in both adults and
children. It has been suggested that by leaving the
perilimbal conjunctival circulation undisturbed, the
cul-de-sac incision could reduce the incidence and
severity of anterior segment ischemia after rectus
muscle surgery. A diffuse but benign subconjunctival
hemorrhage occurs in about 10% of cases after the
cul-de-sac incision.
 Mechanics of surgery

D E

F G

Figure 4
A The site of the inferior cul-de-sac incision for approach-
ing the right medial rectus muscle
B The conjunctiva is tented and scissors cut down through
the conjunctiva, anterior, and posterior Tenons to bare
sclera.
C The initial incision can include only conjunctiva. With for-
ceps grasping anterior and posterior Tenons these tis-
sues are tented up and excised.
D A muscle hook enters the incision and with its tip slightly
indenting sclera the hook passes beneath the rectus
muscle.
E The initial hook may be replaced with a Green hook that
has a prominent tip. Any muscle hook with a knob at the
tip is suitable for this maneuver.
F A second hook is placed in the incision but on top of the
muscle. It is moved back and forth to free the muscle in
its capsule from overlying anterior Tenons capsule. This
motion should extend several millimeters anterior to the
muscle insertion.
G The muscle hook that was used to separate the muscle
from anterior Tenons capsule is then used to pull the
conjunctival incision over the tip of the muscle hook that
is engaging the muscle.
continued.

169
Chapter 6

H I

J K

Figure 4, contd
H A small snip through intermuscular membrane exposes
the tip.
I With the muscle so exposed and after sufficient dissec-
tion of the intermuscular membrane at the border of the
muscle, sutures are placed. If a resection is to be per-
formed, a second hook under the muscle exposes suffi-
cient muscle tissue to allow placement of sutures for
resection.
J Putting a second hook under the muscle provides better
exposure.
K The muscle is completely detached after curved locking
forceps are placed on the stump, the first when half of
the muscle is freed and finally the second just before the
last fibers are cut.
L The location of the incision when the eye and lids are in
the physiologic state.

170

Limbal incision
The limbal incision in the conjunctiva for sur-
gical exposure of the rectus muscles is probably the
easiest to perform and the most versatile of the expo-
sure techniques for strabismus surgery. Wide expo-
sure of the muscle and adjacent sclera with the inci-
sion placed directly over the area of surgical activity
makes suture placement in the muscle and needle
placement in the sclera easier than with the cul-de-sac
incision. When muscle transfer or insertion shift is
done up or down, this wide exposure is especially
beneficial. The relaxing incisions may be extended
10 mm or more without penalty because the addition-
al length of these incisions is hidden behind the lids.
The limbal incision also enables the surgeon to carry
out conjunctival recession or conjunctival excision of
scarred tissue when necessary and also debulking of
anterior Tenon's capsule in selected cases. A draw-
back of this procedure is that an incision is made in
A B
C
Figure 5
A The conjunctiva at the limbus is tented and a sharp blade
passes beneath anterior Tenons capsule.
B Scissors may be used to initiate the limbal incision. The
conjunctiva is tented and the scissor tips cut down along
the line of the radial incision through conjunctiva and
anterior Tenons capsule.
Mechanics of surgery
the palpebral opening. If this incision is not closed
very carefully with a smooth approximation of the
conjunctiva - anterior Tenon's capsule layer with the
limbus, an unsightly ridge could result. This ridge
can also cause inefficient wetting of the peripheral
cornea resulting in delle formation. The neophyte
strabismus surgeon should, in my opinion, learn the
limbal incision first.
The site of the limbal incision for medial rectus
surgery is centered at the insertion of the rectus mus-
cle and extends 2 to 3 clock hour positions. The
fusion of conjunctiva and anterior Tenon's capsule is
grasped with fine-toothed forceps and tented up, and
subanterior Tenon's capsule is entered with a No. 15
Bard-Parker blade (Figure 5) scissors may also be
used as shown (Figure 5B). This blade incision is a
puncture, not a dissection. The blade should not dig
into the episclera or sclera. Scissors should be used
E
C First, the radial incision is made,
D then the limbal incision,
E and then the second radial incision.
171
Chapter 6
to extend one relaxing incision. Scissors are then
used to complete the limbal peritomy and then the
second radial relaxing incision is made. These relax-
ing incisions are carried to but not through the plica
when the incision is made medially. Scissors and
sharp dissection are used to sever the attachments
between the muscle sheath and the undersurface of
anterior Tenon's capsule. Bare sclera is exposed at
one or both borders of the muscle's insertion by pierc-
ing the intermuscular membrane at each edge of the
muscle's insertion (Figure 6). It is imperative that
bare sclera be identified during this maneuver to
allow smooth passage of the muscle hook behind the
insertion of the rectus muscle. Dissection of the mus-
cle capsule itself should be avoided and the muscle
should remain in its capsule. Failure to maintain this
technique produces unnecessary bleeding.
When bare sclera is identified at each border of
the muscle, a muscle hook is passed easily behind the
insertion. It is also acceptable to pass the muscle
hook behind the insertion after exposing bare sclera at
one border and cut down on the tip of the hook at the
B
Figure 6
A The conjunctiva-anterior Tenons flap is retracted and
scissors are used to penetrate posterior Tenons capsule
exposing bare sclera at each muscle border.
172
other border. Care should be exercised to avoid forc-
ing the hook past or through an incompletely dissect-
ed plane. The intermuscular membrane is dissected
from the borders of the muscle and the attachments
between the muscle sheath and the undersurface of
anterior Tenon's capsule are dissected according to
the surgeon's preference. Sutures are placed and the
muscle is recessed as shown (Figure 7) or the intend-
ed procedure is done. The limbal flap is closed at the
apices with interrupted 8-0 absorbable sutures. An
additional suture may be placed in each of the radial
incisions.
The limbal flap may be recessed 5 mm using
three sutures. Two of the sutures join the tips of the
flap at the base of the relaxing wing incisions, and the
third suture secures the center of the flap to the super-
ficial sclera or the muscle stump. The knot securing
the conjunctival flap at the limbus may be buried by
passing the needle from beneath the conjunctiva at
the limbus, and then from the conjunctival surface on
the flap, and finally tying the knot down tightly so
that it slides under conjunctiva.
C
B A muscle hook is passed behind the muscle insertion.
C Shown here at surgery
 Mechanics of surgery

B C

Figure 7
A After suture placement the muscle is recessed (or the
intended procedure is completed) and the surgical site is
observed.
B The incision is closed with fine absorbable suture joining
the corners at the limbus.
C Shown here at surgery.
D The conjunctiva may be recessed.
E The sutures may be placed to bury knots for more com-
fort in the immediate postoperative period.

173
Chapter 6
Incisions for exposing the
obliques
Exposure of the oblique muscles (tendon in the
case of the superior) can be obtained effectively by
using a transconjunctival incision behind the lids
(Figure 8). When one is making this incision, it is
imperative to make it approximately 8.0 mm from the
limbus to ensure that the subposterior Tenon's space
will be entered. When operating on the inferior
oblique, an effective technique is to hook both the lat-
eral and the inferior rectus muscles and retract con-
junctiva-Tenons before hooking the inferior oblique.
When operating on the superior oblique, the superior
and medial rectus muscles may be hooked before
hooking the superior oblique. In cases where the
superior oblique is to be exposed prior to a strength-
ening procedure or in cases of Brown syndrome, I use
the cuffed limbal incision in order to carry out a
more orderly exploration of the superior oblique ten-
don, which is frequently anomalous in congenital
superior oblique palsy.
The incision for exposure of the superior
oblique tendon medial to the superior rectus is begun
A B
C D
Figure 8
A Location of the conjunctival incision to expose the superi-
or oblique medial to the superior rectus
B Location of the conjunctival incision to expose the superi-
or oblique tendon at its insertion
174
at the medial aspect of the insertion of the superior
rectus muscle (approximately 8 mm from the limbus)
and extends through the conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's
capsule, and intermuscular membrane for 8 mm
medially, concentric with the limbus. The incision for
exposure of the superior oblique tendon at its inser-
tion is begun at the lateral corner of the superior rec-
tus insertion (approximately 8.5 mm from the limbus)
and extends through the conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's
capsule, and intermuscular membrane laterally for 6
mm, concentric with the limbus. The incision for
exposure of the inferior oblique is made 8 mm from
the limbus, is approximately 8 mm long, and is cen-
tered in the inferior temporal quadrant, concentric
with the limbus. The incision is carried through the
conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's capsule, and intermus-
cular membrane to bare sclera. The incision for a
combined procedure on the lateral rectus and inferior
oblique is a standard limbal incision that is extended
inferiorly one additional clock hour.
C Location of the conjunctival incision to expose the inferior
oblique
D An enlarged limbal incision to expose both the lateral
rectus and inferior oblique

Obtaining improved exposure
Improved exposure can be gained by enlarging a
limbal incision as needed.
A new retractor designed specifically for
extraocular muscle surgery is called the Barbie. This
was named in reference to the popular Barbie doll
when a scrub nurse suggested that the new retractor
looked like something Barbie could use to flip a ham-
burger. The Barbie retractor comes in three sizes and
Figure 9
A The Barbie retractor
B A ribbon-maleable retractor elevating the superior
oblique tendon and superior rectus
Mechanics of surgery
they are regular 7 mm, large 9 mm, and extra large 11
mm wide respectively. Each have a blade length of
15 mm.
This retractor is designed to replace the bulky
Desmarres (vein) retractor and the heavier ribbon or
maleable retractors - both borrowed from general
surgery (Figure 9).
C A wide Desmarres retractor retracting Tenons and con-
junctiva over a horizontal rectus muscle
175
Chapter 6
Cuffed superior limbal incision
The superior limbal quadrant differs from
the other 270 degrees in that it is less distinct and is
traversed by multiple fine blood vessels going from
the conjunctiva to the cornea. This quirk of anatomy
makes it more difficult to achieve a clean limbal inci-
sion superiorly and it also leads to peripheral opacifi-
cation of the superior cornea when a standard limbal
incision is done. To avoid this complication the
cuffed limbal incision can be made. This consists of
a curvilinear incision in conjunctiva about two mm
above the superior limbus. The incision should be
A B
C D
Figure 10
A The initial conjunctival incision is made temporally at the
10 o'clock right eye and 2 o'clock meridian left eye 2 mm
posterior from the limbus.
B The incision is continued through conjunctiva and anterior
Tenon's for 4 or 5 clock hours leaving a 2 mm cuff on the
limbal side.
176
about 4 to 5 clock hours centered over the superior
rectus. Two lateral wing incisions are made for 6-8
mm as in the standard limbal incision and surgery is
carried out in the usual way. The incision is closed
meticulously with several interrupted 8-0 absorbable
sutures with the knot buried. This incision heals in
just a few days with virtually no trace of surgery hav-
ing been done. It is possible that the molding effect
of the upper lid as it moves over the incision line con-
tributes to this healing effect (Figure 10).
C The incision is carried out in the usual manner for the lim-
bal incision exposing the superior rectus and later the
superior oblique tendon if that is the aim.
D The cuffed limbal incision is closed with several interrupt-
ed absorbable 8-0 sutures with the knots buried.

Recession of a rectus muscle
Overview
Measured retroplacement or recession is the
standard technique for weakening a rectus muscle.
However, the term weakening or reducing the effect
of a muscle may be a misuse of terms. Instead, retro-
placement of a rectus muscle provides a new starting
place or static alignment for the eye. In this new
position, the muscle's attachments to both anterior
and posterior Tenon's capsule, the muscle pulleys,
and adjacent structures continue to affect both static
and dynamic factors in eye movement. The muscle's
effect on the globe is mediated through these attach-
ments as well as through the muscle's scleral inser-
tion. Unless the rectus muscle is recessed excessive-
ly, placing the new insertion behind the equator along
with extensive Tenon's dissection, the muscle's action
will not be compromised significantly in its field of
action.
Both saccadic velocity and generated force will
be the same after the usual recession. Excessive
recession, either by design as in special cases or as a
complication, will result in decreased excursion of the
globe in the field of action of the muscle. These large
recessions can be used when treating patients with
conditions such as; fibrosis syndrome, third nerve
palsy, thyroid ophthalmopathy, nystagmus, or with a
variety of complicated reoperations, and in the case of
a slipped or lost muscle. Underaction occurs not
because of any change in the contractile power of the
muscle, but because of the alteration of mechanics of
the muscle-Tenon's-globe relationship. A muscle
inserting behind the equator of the globe will not
exert its full effect on globe rotation on a purely
mechanical basis.
Excessive recession
In addition to underaction, excessive recession
of the medial rectus will produce a widened medial
palpebral-canthal area. Excessive recession of the
inferior rectus causes ptosis of the lower lid resulting
7
in vertical widening of the palpebral fissure.
Excessive recession of the superior rectus can cause
retraction of the upper lid and a widened palpebral
fissure. The unique relationship of the inferior rectus
to Lockwood's ligament and the inferior oblique
causes the inferior rectus, after recession, to be prone
to both early and late posterior migration (slippage).
This results in undesirable overcorrection-hyper-
tropia, underaction of the muscle, and lower lid pto-
sis.
To avoid this complication, the inferior rectus
should be securely reattached to the globe. The prob-
lem of lower lid ptosis after inferior rectus recession
can be reduced if not completely eliminated by taking
two precautions. First, the intermuscular membrane
(posterior Tenon's capsule) dissection should be car-
ried back 10 to 14 mm posterior from the inferior rec-
tus insertion. In most cases this maneuver requires
careful dissection to a point several millimeters pos-
terior to the entrance of the vortex veins. These are
found on one or both borders of the inferior rectus.
These tortuous dark red veins, 1 mm in diameter, are
visible lying on sclera traveling for 5 mm or more
before piercing posterior Tenon's capsule and enter-
ing the orbit. Vortex veins bleed briskly if cut. Do
not cut or tear them! If this happens, pressure should
be applied and then the veins cauterized after bleed-
ing has slowed. Second, the attachments of
Lockwood's ligament to the inner surface of the infe-
rior oblique should be dissected carefully to the same
level as the dissection of the intermuscular mem-
brane. All of this dissection is carried out without
exposing fat. Another technique for avoiding lower
lid ptosis is to mark the relationship of Lockwood's
ligament to the inferior rectus before dissection and
muscle recession and then to suture Lockwood's to
the inferior rectus in the same relative position after
recession as it was before - effectively pulling the
lower lid forward and upward.
177
Chapter 7
Recession of the superior rectus has recently
been modified in some cases by use of excessively
large recessions to treat large-angle dissociated verti-
cal deviation. Although in the past it was considered
dogma to restrict vertical rectus recession to relative-
ly smaller amounts, such as 5 mm or less, some sur-
geons now believe that excessive recession of the
superior recti, usually via hang-back recession, is
both safe and effective. This raises the question:
Where does the superior rectus reattach when a hang-
back recession is done? It has been shown clearly
that the firm attachment of the superior oblique ten-
don to the undersurface of the superior rectus theoret-
ically limits the extent of superior rectus retroplace-
ment when using the hang-back technique. In order
to truly hang back the superior rectus muscle, it
seems the surgeon should detach the superior oblique
tendon from the undersurface of the superior rectus.
Even with this accomplished, the surgeon cannot be
assured that the superior rectus will remain recessed
to the degree that the hang back implies. Hang-back
recession of as great as 15 mm from the insertion or
approximately 5 mm behind the equator has been
claimed. Because of the attachment of the superior
rectus to underlying superior oblique this amount of
recession can be seen with the eye rotated downward.
However, when the eye rotates back to the primary
position, the superior rectus moves closer to the inser-
tion along with the attached superior oblique tendon.
Recessions of the superior rectus muscle by measured
recession or by the hang-back technique that exceeds
5 or 6 mm could result in limited elevation. But since
this surgery is usually done for .dissociated vertical
deviation (DVD) in patients who have effective sup-
pression the resulting incomitance does not lead to
diplopia and the limitation of supraduction is not sig-
nificant.
Recession of the lateral rectus is more or less
limited by the insertion of the inferior oblique found
12 mm from the lateral rectus insertion. However, in
hang-back recession, or in excessive recessions of
the horizontal recti carried out to treat nystagmus, this
limit may be exceeded with the new lateral rectus
inserted at or behind the anterior edge of the inferior
oblique insertion. For the usual strabismus surgery,
the lateral rectus is recessed from a minimum of 4 to
5 mm to a maximum of 8 to 10 mm. Recession of the
lateral rectus in excess of 8 to 10 mm can result in
some limitation of abduction.
Recession of the lateral rectus can be compli-
cated by inadvertent inclusion of the inferior oblique.
This complication can be reduced if not eliminated if
the surgeon is certain that the inferior oblique is not
brought forward when hooking the lateral rectus and
second by carefully inspecting the lateral rectus rein-
sertion site and removing any inferior oblique fibers
or intermuscular membrane that may be pulling the
inferior oblique forward.
178
Recessions measured from?
The question, "Where should a rectus muscle
recession be measured from?" has not been answered
fully. Gillies and McIndoe advocated the use of axial
length measurement to produce more accurately
dosed surgery. This approach certainly makes sense
on two counts. First, a smaller axial length means a
smaller globe, which in turn means that theoretically
more effect is produced per millimeter of recession.
Second, knowing the axial length allows the surgeon
to know where the equator of the globe is and, there-
fore, to recess the muscle maximally with more pre-
cision and still avoid excessive recession.
Since 1974, I have used the limbus as the ref-
erence point for medial rectus recession. The globe
undergoes a more or less orderly enlargement with
age in patients with refractive errors 4.00 D or less.
The corneal diameter also increases in a predictable
way and that is why we choose the corneoscleral lim-
bus as a reference for medial rectus recession. A
maximum recession of 10.0 mm from the limbus is
performed on eyes of infants under 6 months of age,
10.5 mm under 1 year, and 11.5 mm on eyes of
patients over 1 year (Figure 1). In addition to provid-
ing a standard of measurement related to globe size
and, therefore, adhering to geometric factors, meas-
urement from the limbus is a convenient way to avoid
using the variable medial rectus insertion site as the
reference for recession measurement. We found the
medial rectus insertion site to vary from 3.5 to 6.0
mm with an average of 4.4 mm in a group of esotrop-
ic patients. In these patients there was no relationship
between the medial rectus insertion site and the angle
of strabismus.
Our initial motivation for using the limbus was
that an all too common result of surgery for infantile
esotropia in the 1960's and 1970's was undercorrec-
tion. To reduce this unacceptably high percentage,
which resulted in nearly 50% of surgically treated
esotropia patients requiring a second operation after
bimedial recession, surgeons gradually began increas-
ing the amount they recessed the medial rectus while
still measuring from the insertion. The largest medi-
al rectus recession as measured from the limbus for
many surgeons had been 5.0 mm in the 1960's. This
amount gradually was increased to 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm,
and finally 7.0 mm. By ignoring the insertion site of
the medial rectus and using instead the limbus as a
reference, I decided to establish for my surgery a
maximum and a minimum recession. A recession of
8.5 mm from the limbus, which was determined to be
the minimum, could actually be a maximum recession
if the medial rectus was inserted 3.5 mm from the
limbus and if the surgeon used 5.0 mm as the maxi-
mum medial rectus recession. The strategy of medial
rectus recession measured from the limbus has result-
ed in fewer patients having an unintended under
 Recession of a rectus muscle

recession and resultant undercorrection. By measur-

ing from the limbus when recessing the medial recti,
more than 80% of patients treated by me for infantile
esotropia with a bimedial recession have a residual
strabismus (almost entirely esodeviation) of less than A
10 prism diopters, and just fewer than 10% require
surgery for early postoperative undercorrection.
Does the amount of shortening of the muscle,
or rather the amount of shortening of the distance the
muscle travels from origin to the new insertion site,
dictate the postoperative effect of the muscle? Are
the sarcomeres more lax and less vigorous in their
effect on rotation of the globe? The lack of postoper-
ative change in saccadic velocity and generated mus-
cle force suggests this is not a major factor and cer-
tainly not the principal factor in altering the position B
of the eye after recession. Does the new position of
the muscle on the globe dictate the new alignment on
a purely mechanical basis? The fact that alignment
does not change in the case of a hang-back recession
between the initial alignment when the suspending
sutures are the effective insertion and the time when
the muscle attaches to the globe makes this doubtful.
The truth may be that both factors have some influ-
ence. The fact that the posterior fixation suture is Figure 1
effective in reducing movement of the globe in a mus- A Minimum medial rectus recession is 2.5 mm from the
cle's field of action certainly speaks for the impor- insertion or 8.5 mm from the limbus
tance of a recessed muscle's insertion site. The mus- B Maximum medial rectus recession less well defined
(could be 6-7 mm from insertion or 11.5 mm from the
cle length remains unchanged with the posterior fixa-
limbus).
tion suture and in most cases the primary position
remains unchanged. In addition, this procedure has
no effect on alignment in gaze in the direction oppo-
site the side of the procedure.

measure from the insertion site. This technique for

Four important points to remember when
doing rectus muscle recession are: (1) do enough
recession to achieve the intended result; (2) do
not recess the muscle so far as to produce an
undesired result such as deficient duction,
widened fissure, or lower lid ptosis; (3) be con-
sistent; and (4) make adjustments in the amount
of recession done in subsequent patients based on
your past surgical results.
A small change in the medial rectus insertion
location relative to the limbus when measured before
and after detachment of the muscle has been
described. Although this change may be of some the-
oretical interest, it does not represent an important
clinical consideration. The medial rectus insertion
site has been said to shift 0.3 mm closer to the limbus
after detachment of the medial rectus and when the
eye is abducted with forceps. This factor is another,
albeit minor, factor that makes recession measure-
ment from the limbus logical for medial rectus reces-
sion. For recession of the other rectus muscles, I
these other rectus muscles allows sufficient recession
amount with or without resection of the antagonist
according to the patients needs. I do not encounter
chronic undercorrections after recession of the other
rectus muscles, as had been the case with medial rec-
tus recession.
Medial rectus recession
Measured recession or retroplacement of the
medial rectus is the procedure of choice for weaken-
ing this muscle in esodeviations. In certain situations,
marginal myotomy is a satisfactory and even pre-
ferred technique for weakening any of the rectus mus-
cles, but marginal myotomies should be reserved for
specific indications (see chapter 10). A modified
recession procedure is accomplished with the hang-
back technique. I prefer to dissect intermuscular
membrane a minimal amount, just enough to place
sutures in the case of a first surgery. Reoperations are
dealt with on a case by case basis but, there is proba-
bly not much value in carrying the dissection any fur-
ther in these cases.

179
Chapter 7

A minimum medial rectus recession for those

A who measure from the insertion is 2.5 mm. This is a
reliable figure and should not be violated. A medial
rectus recession of less than 2.5 mm is rarely, if ever,
justified. The resection-effect of suture placement
B and the fibrosis of healing tend to nullify any expect-
ed muscle weakening effect if a recession smaller
than 2.5 mm is performed. An exception to this is the
proposed modifying effect that is said to occur from
simply detaching and reattaching a muscle. This pro-
cedure has been suggested by Hertle done on the four
horizontal recti for damping nystagmus.
A maximum medial rectus recession measured
from the limbus had traditionally been 5.0 or 5.5 mm.
This figure is based on the fact that moving the medi-
C
al rectus farther than 5.5 mm posterior to its normal
insertion places the new insertion behind the point of
Figure 2 tangency with the globe. This point of tangency is
Dimensions related to medial rectus recession measuring
from the limbus anterior to the equator of the globe because the origin
A Corneal diameter of the medial rectus at the ligament of Zinn is medial
B Distance of equator from limbus to the anteroposterior axis of the globe. If the con-
C Variation in medial rectus insertion in patients with tracting medial rectus acts on the globe as if it were a
esotropia
string attached to a ball, no unwrapping or rotational
effect would be expected if the muscle attached
behind the point of tangency. The muscle in such an
instance would act more as a retractor than an adduc-
tor. However, because medial rectus action on the
globe is mediated through attachments to the inter-
muscular membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule and
the pulleys), certain cases requiring extra weakening
effect of the medial rectus can be treated with a reces-
sion larger than 5.5 mm, or even with a free tenotomy
in extreme cases. Many surgeons who perform medi-
al rectus recession measured from the muscle's inser-
tion exceed this 5.5 mm recession rule. They recess
the medial rectus 6 or even 7 mm or possibly more
from the original insertion. Because of variations in
the point of insertion of the medial rectus (average 4.4
mm - range 3 to 6 mm) I perform medial rectus reces-
sion using the limbus as the point of reference. These
recessions range from 8.5 mm to 11.5 mm (Figure 2).
In selected cases this upper limit of recession is
exceeded, such as in cases of nystagmus where the
medial rectus has been recessed up to 14.0 mm from
the limbus, and therefore behind the equator when the
four-muscle recession procedure is done. These
large recessions produce limitation of ductions.
Even when the medial rectus is recessed to its
functional point of tangency, attachments to the inter-
muscular membrane, which in turn attach to the globe
well anterior to the point of tangency and medial to
the globe's vertical axis, can facilitate adduction. The
lever arm is reduced, but adducting power remains.
The extent to which the intermuscular membrane is
severed at the muscle border can influence the degree
Figure 3 of weakening accomplished by a given medial rectus
Medial rectus recession with minimal dissection of inter- recession (Figure 3). An extreme example is the case
muscular membrane of a slipped or lost muscle that has had extensive free-

180
 Recession of a rectus muscle

Lateral rectus recession

Measured recession or retroplacement of the
lateral rectus is the procedure of choice for weaken-
ing this muscle in exodeviations. In certain instances,
a marginal myotomy is a satisfactory and even desir-
able procedure for weakening the lateral rectus mus-
cle, but this procedure should be reserved for specif-
ic cases (see Chapter 10). A modified recession pro-
cedure is accomplished by the hang-back technique.
A minimum lateral rectus recession is 4 mm.
Less recession should not be undertaken if surgery to
weaken the lateral rectus is justified. The maximum
measured lateral rectus recession had been 7 mm in
adults and 6 mm in children. However, most sur-
geons now perform 8 mm and even up to 10 mm or
even larger recessions of the lateral rectus without
crippling the muscle's effect (Figure 5).
Large recessions of the lateral rectus may be
performed in certain cases without severely restrict-
ing motility because the muscle continues to act
through attachments to the intermuscular membrane.
The lever arm is reduced, but abducting power

Figure 4
After extensive dissection of the intermuscular membrane
the medial rectus, if it becomes detached from the globe,
can retract into the fat of the muscle cone resulting in a
lost muscle.

ing of the intermuscular membrane from the muscle B

borders. In such a case little, if any, adduction is pres-
ent postoperatively. On the other hand, free tenotomy
performed with minimal dissection of the adjacent
intermuscular membrane leaves the patient, in most
cases, with some adduction. Free tenotomy may be
an unsound procedure more because it is unpre-
dictable than because it is crippling.
Minimum dissection of the intermuscular
membrane and overlying Tenon's capsule would the-
oretically lessen recession effect and lessen the likeli- Figure 5
A Minimum lateral rectus recession, 4.0 mm
hood of a lost muscle. Maximum dissection of the B Maximum lateral rectus recession, 8.0 mm
intermuscular membrane would theoretically maxi-
mize the recession effect and could with suture failure
result in a lost muscle (Figure 4).

181
Chapter 7

remains. The extent to which the intermuscular mem-

brane is severed from the muscle border can influence
the degree of weakening accomplished by a given lat-
eral rectus recession (Figure 6). As with the medial
rectus, an extreme example is the case of a slipped or
lost muscle that has had extensive freeing of the mus-
cle borders from intermuscular membrane. In these
cases little, if any, abduction is present postoperative-
ly. On the other hand, free tenotomy, which is always
performed with minimal dissection of the adjacent
intermuscular membrane, in most cases leaves the
patient with some abduction. Free tenotomy is infre-
quently done. It is often unpredictable and can be
crippling. However, in some cases of large angle
exotropia in a previously operated patient who may Figure 6
Lateral rectus recession with minimal intermuscular mem-
have mechanical restrictions, free tenotomy or one
brane dissection
guarded by an adjustable suture may be done. This
may also be considered a type of hang-loose proce-
dure with more posterior globe-suture attachment. In
extreme cases where lateral rectus function needs to
be eliminated, the lateral rectus is detached and reat-
tached to the lateral orbital periostium.
When attempting to engage the lateral rectus
with a muscle hook, care should be taken to avoid
inadvertently including all or part of the inferior
oblique muscle at its insertion (Figure 7). This com-
plication can be avoided by making the initial sweep
of the hook from above. If the hook is passed upward
from below, it must not be thrust too deeply into the
orbit. Inclusion of the inferior oblique in lateral rec-
tus recession will, if undetected, lead to unpredictable
surgical results accompanied by restrictions in motil- Figure 7
ity. This has been called the inferior oblique inclu- Care should be exercised to avoid unintended inclusion of
sion syndrome. the inferior oblique when hooking the lateral rectus
When the lateral rectus is detached from the
globe, the muscle should be lifted and the undersur-
face and the inferior border of the lateral rectus
should be freed from the inferior oblique muscle
(Figure 8).

Superior rectus recession

A minimum recession of the superior rectus is
2.5 mm. A recession smaller than this would be inef-
fective and should not be performed. A maximum
recession of the superior rectus had been thought to
be 5 mm, although some surgeons routinely exceed
this figure placing the superior rectus at 10 mm and
up to 15 mm from the original insertion, especially in
cases of DVD (Figure 9). Large recessions of the
superior rectus muscle can cause retraction of the
upper lid leading to widening of the palpebral fissure.
The superior oblique tendon passes beneath the supe-
rior rectus approximately 5 mm posterior to the nasal Figure 8
aspect of the superior rectus insertion. A recession of It is good practice to lift the lateral rectus to confirm that the
inferior oblique is not attached to the lateral rectus or
the superior rectus greater than 5 mm would place the
included in the suture. The relationship of the lateral rectus
new insertion of the superior rectus at the superior and inferior oblique makes it unlikely that the lateral rectus
oblique tendon if the tendon were dissected free or will be lost.

182

A B
Figure 9
A Minimal superior rectus recession is 2.5 mm
would deflect the tendon posteriorly if this freeing
had not been done.
The superior rectus insertion can be engaged
from the medial or the lateral side (Figure 10).
Careful dissection exposing bare sclera should be
completed before inserting the muscle hook. To
avoid engaging the superior oblique tendon, an inci-
sion is made to enter subposterior Tenon's space
medial to the insertion of the superior rectus. The tip
of the muscle hook gently indents bare sclera and is
A B
Figure 10
A When identifying the entire superior rectus insertion it
may be necessary to pass a hook from either border and
sometimes several times.
Recession of a rectus muscle
B Maximum superior rectus recession is not established. A
5.0 mm recession will place the new insertion anterior to
the superior oblique tendon.
guided just behind the superior rectus insertion. In
spite of efforts to avoid this complication, the superi-
or oblique tendon may be inadvertently included with
the hook which is intended to engage only the superi-
or rectus. If this inclusion goes unrecognized, the
superior oblique tendon may be reattached at the new
insertion of the recessed superior rectus (Figure 11).
We have seen this complication at reoperation. If the
surgeon observes or suspects this unintended superior
oblique inclusion, a second muscle hook is passed
B The initial attempt to hook the medial rectus can be
made from the medial side.
183
Chapter 7

A B

Figure 11
A Hooking the superior rectus from the nasal side can B A second hook introduced from the temporal side can
inadvertently include the superior oblique tendon. free the superior oblique tendon. The first hook is then
removed.

from the temporal border of the superior rectus after

Figure 12
Hooking the superior rectus from the temporal side can split
the insertion.
Figure 13
A second hook introduced from the nasal side can include
the entire tendon. The first hook is then removed.
the tip of the first hook has been rotated backward.
As the second hook is inserted, the first hook is with-
drawn. With the superior oblique tendon freed from
the hook engaging the superior rectus, another hook
may finally be placed from the medial side or from
the lateral side of the insertion. In my experience, the
superior rectus insertion is the most likely of the rec-
tus muscles to be split when attempting to engage it
on a muscle hook (Figure 12). This is more likely to
occur when hooking the muscle from the temporal
side because the insertion tends to curve posteriorly.
If this occurs, re-hooking from the other border will
allow inclusion of the total muscle (Figure 13).
Inferior rectus recession
A minimum recession of the inferior rectus is
2.5 mm. A recession smaller than this would proba-
bly be ineffective and should not be performed. A
maximum recession of the inferior rectus under most
circumstances is 5 mm (Figure 14). This amount is
not ordinarily exceeded because an excessively large
recession of the inferior rectus causes a pulling down
or ptosis of the lower lid resulting in a cosmetically
objectionable widening of the palpebral fissure.
These problems of the lower lid are caused by the fact
that the capsule of the inferior rectus is attached to
Lockwood's ligament and the inferior oblique muscle,
which in turn are attached to the inferior orbital sep-
tum and tarsus of the lower lid. Careful dissection of
the intermuscular membrane of the inferior rectus and
of the fascial attachments between the inferior rectus
and Lockwood's ligament can minimize the effect of
a large inferior rectus recession on the lower lid.
Inflammatory changes in the extraocular muscles
associated with Graves' disease have a predilection

184
 Recession of a rectus muscle

for the inferior rectus. When these changes cause a

hypotropia with restriction of forced elevation of the
globe, the usual maximum inferior rectus recession
often must be exceeded to obtain adequate elevation
of the bound down globe. In such a case, inferior
A rectus recession with an adjustable suture may be
done. However, adjustable inferior rectus recession
may be complicated by early or late slippage of the
inferior rectus with widened fissure, ptosis of the
lower lid, and deficient depression (see page 403).
When dissecting the inferior rectus in cases
with or without restriction, care should be taken to
avoid cutting the vortex veins that lie at each border
of the muscle between 8 and 12 mm behind the inser-
tion (Figure 15). Also, Lockwood's ligament should
be dissected carefully with small scissor snips under
direct vision for a distance of 12 mm or slightly more
posterior to the insertion. This careful technique
reduces bleeding and the likelihood of lower lid
retraction with recession or lower lid advancement
with resection.
B
Lockwood's ligament encasing the inferior
oblique has a firm attachment to the inferior orbital
septum and the lower lid tarsus (Figure 16). The dis-
tance between Lockwood's ligament and the lower lid

Figure 14
A A minimum inferior rectus recession of 2.5 mm
B A maximum inferior rectus recession of 5.0 mm. This
number is exceeded in cases of restriction and in special
circumstances.

Figure 16
The connections between the inferior rectus - inferior
oblique - Lockwoods ligament and the lower lid cause the
Figure 15 structures to move together.
Vortex veins are seen on both borders of the inferior rectus A Normal
when dissection is carried back 10 mm or more. B Lower lid ptosis after inferior rectus recession without
advancement of Lockwoods.

185
Chapter 7

border tends to remain constant. As the inferior rec- Barbie or other suitable retractor is used to provide
tus is recessed and Lockwood's ligament follows the adequate exposure. When the muscle is properly
muscle, the lower lid tends to drop lower producing exposed, it is stabilized with a muscle hook. The bor-
lower lid ptosis and widening of the palpebral fissure. der of the rectus muscle is elevated with a small hook
This problem can be avoided or at least reduced if to facilitate passage of the needle between the large
Lockwood's ligament is brought forward and sutured hook stabilizing the muscle and the small hook. The
to the inferior rectus so that it is the same distance needle passes through the tendon avoiding the anteri-
from the original insertion of the inferior rectus as or ciliary vessels. The anterior ciliary vessels should
before recession (Figure 17). Lockwood's ligament is not be severed by the needle but should be included
sutured to the surface of the inferior rectus with 6-0 in the suture (Figure 18).
absorbable suture at the same distance from the orig- After passing through the tendon, the needle is
inal insertion as it was preoperatively. brought again through the tendon including the ante-
rior ciliary vessels. The suture is then locked*
Rectus muscle recession (Figure 19). This technique for suture placement
technique
The standard technique for recession of each of
the rectus muscles is the same. Differences in maxi-
mum and minimum amounts and management of the
intermuscular membrane and check ligaments were
discussed previously. Because of the strength and
uniformity of synthetic absorbable suture, I prefer to A
recess a muscle using one double-arm suture.
However, two single-arm sutures may be used.
The rectus muscle is exposed by carefully
incising the intermuscular membrane and posterior
Tenon's capsule at 2 or 3 mm from the muscle border
with sharp dissection. Anterior Tenon's capsule aris-
es from the outer surface of the muscle sheath and is
outside of posterior Tenon's capsule. Anterior
Tenon's capsule is dissected with scissors from the
outer surface of the muscle until suitable exposure is
obtained. This varies according to each muscle. No
fat should be exposed. Large vessels bridging from B
the muscle capsule surface to the undersurface of
anterior Tenon's capsule may be simultaneously sev-
ered and sealed with cautery (see chapter 3). A

Figure 17
To assist in reducing lower lid ptosis when recessing the
inferior rectus the tissues around Lockwoods ligament are
pulled anteriorly and sutured to the inferior rectus at the
same distance from the inferior rectus insertion as in the
preoperative state.
Figure 18
A Exposure of the rectus muscle insertion includes freeing
the insertion and proximal muscle borders sufficiently to
place the sutures.
B A small hook elevates the muscle border to facilitate
placement of the needle through the muscle.
C The needle is passed through the tendon avoiding the
anterior ciliary arteries.

* Mims has made specific recommendations for placing a secure locking bite, which is actually a true knot, at the rectus muscle border.

186

A B
Figure 19
A If the sutures are passed as shown a true knot is
formed.
B The anterior ciliary arteries are ligated the hook is aimed
back toward the orbit (not shown).
behind the first hook reduces the likelihood of inad-
vertently cutting the suture when detaching the mus-
cle and reduces bleeding by ligating the anterior cil-
iary vessels. The resection effect is negligible in my
opinion. After the sutures have been pulled posteri-
orly from the insertion, the muscle is cut off flush
with the sclera using scissors and taking small snips.
Several footplates may need to be severed before the
muscle retracts freely. The muscle hook is now
behind the suture line for cutting the muscle free,
whereas it was in front of or closer to the insertion
when the sutures were placed.
A caliper or scleral ruler is used to measure the
amount of recession. Measurements may be taken
from the original insertion or the limbus. I prefer to
measure most medial rectus recessions from the lim-
bus. The surgeon should decide on one method of
B C
Figure 20
A A caliper measures from the limbus or the original inser-
tion.
B A scleral ruler modified from William Scott is also useful
for this measurement.
Recession of a rectus muscle
C
C The muscle is detached.
measuring medial rectus recessions and continue to
use it. When comparing measurement from the lim-
bus with measuring from the insertion, the distance
between the insertion and the limbus should be added
to the intended amount of recession. When measured
from the limbus, a traditional 4 mm recession of the
medial rectus would indicate that the new insertion
should be 9.5 mm from the limbus, assuming that the
medial rectus insertion is 5.5 mm from the limbus.
Clinical experience has shown that the average medi-
al rectus insertion in esotropia is 4.4 mm with a range
of 3 to 6 mm. Measuring from the limbus opposite
the corner of the insertion advances the muscle a bit
(decreasing the recession) and measuring a chord pro-
duces excess recession. These factors are offsetting
(Figure 20).
C The scleral ruler measures the true distance over the
scleral surface while calipers measure the chord.
187
Chapter 7
B C
Figure 21
A A passage of the needle through sclera.
B The scleral tunnel should be 1.5 mm or more.
The tip of the caliper or scleral ruler may be
used to make a dimple in the sclera. This provides a
point indicated by a blue mark which is the uvea
showing through the sclera. This dimple can be used
as a means of engaging scleral tissue with the needle
tip. The thin, spatulated needle displaces tissue and
should be in the superficial one-third to one-half of
the scleral thickness. During experiments in the lab-
oratory, Coats and Paysse found that a scleral bite 1.5
mm long and .2 mm deep is sufficient to secure the
muscle to sclera. This bite had a pull out strength in
excess of 200 gm. This is greater than the physiolog-
ic muscle force exerted on this reattachment. A
longer, but not deeper scleral bite can be taken to pro-
duce friction in the scleral suture tunnel. This holds
the muscle in place during suture tying.
The needle is inserted at the caliper mark
(Figure 21). A scleral bite of 1.5 mm or more is
taken, but care should be exercised to ensure that the
needle is always in sight through the scleral lamellae
and does not perforate the sclera. The globe is stabi-
* Some surgeons with smaller hands than mine prefer to tie sutures using their fingers rather than forceps.
188
C The recessed muscle is ideally parallel to the old inser-
tion (or nearly so).
lized with a utility forceps, which may be of a lock-
ing variety, grasping the insertion stump opposite the
site of needle placement. Care should be taken to
space the two suture bites in the sclera approximately
10 mm apart and equidistant from the limbus or inser-
tion. This maneuver ensures that the new insertion
will be parallel with the limbus, smooth, and flat. The
sutures are tied with a surgeon's knot, and a total of
three throws are taken. The knots should be tied care-
fully, using smooth-tying forceps, grasping the suture
very close to the knot.* This approach ensures secure
knots and reduces the possibility of a broken suture.
Variations in suture and
needle placement
A wide variety of techniques may be used to
secure the suture to the tendon and then to reattach the
tendon to sclera. The overriding principles are secu-
rity, consistency, and safety. The suture must be
securely attached to the tendon to avoid slippage of
the tendon-muscle. The muscle and tendon must be

securely attached to sclera to avoid pulling free from
sclera and producing muscle slippage. Finally, the
needle track in sclera must be deep enough and long
enough to secure the tendon-muscle to sclera without
going too deeply and entering the eye by passing
through choroid and retina into the vitreous.
As a variation of the double-arm suture tech-
nique, a single suture may be used, taking a bite into
the central tendon and then tied. Additional bites then
are taken at the muscle borders and locked loops are
Figure 22
A A bite secured with a knot can be taken at mid-muscle
and sutures brought out the borders and locked for
added security.
Recession of a rectus muscle
placed. The scleral bite is taken and the suture is tied.
The crossed swords technique of Parks may also be
used. The first needle is left in the long scleral tunnel
which angles toward the insertion while the second
needle is placed in the sclera, crossing the first. Both
needles are advanced carefully pulling the first suture
through only when the round part of the other needle
remains in the track. This maneuver prevents the sec-
ond needle from cutting the first suture while in its
scleral track (Figure 22).
B The properly recessed muscle with a double arm suture.
C Needles can be placed in the crossed swords technique
producing a longer scleral tunnel. This holds the muscle
in place while the suture is being tied.
189
Chapter 7
Vertical displacement of the
horizontal rectus
In cases of vertically incomitant strabismus
(A or V pattern) without apparent overaction or
underaction of the oblique muscles, vertical displace-
ment of the rectus muscles is effective in reducing or
eliminating the vertical incomitance (Figure 23). The
muscles are moved vertically to produce more or less
relative strengthening or weakening in upgaze or
downgaze. For example, a horizontal rectus muscle
that has been recessed or resected is relatively weak-
ened in the field of action corresponding to the verti-
cal direction in which its insertion has been moved. A
resected medial rectus that has been moved down-
ward has relatively less strengthening effect in
downgaze and relatively more strengthening effect in
upgaze. A recessed medial rectus that is moved
downward is weakened more in downgaze and weak-
ened less in upgaze.
Miller has suggested horizontal displacement
of the vertical rectus muscles for treatment of A and
V. The superior rectus muscles are moved nasally to
close a V pattern (reduce abduction) or temporally
to open an A pattern (increase abduction). The infe-
rior rectus muscles are moved medially to close an
A pattern (decrease abduction) or temporally to
open a V pattern (increase abduction). The most
common use of horizontal displacement of a vertical
rectus muscle is the nasal shift, which is usually per-
formed when recessing an inferior rectus muscle.
This maneuver will eliminate or reduce an unwanted
postoperative A pattern.
Figure 23
A For treatment of A and V the medial recti are shifted to
the closed end and the lateral recti are shifted to the
open end. This assumes that the proper horizontal sur-
gery has been done.
190
To know the proper direction for vertical dis-
placement, the surgeon needs to remember that the
medial rectus muscles are always shifted to the closed
end and the lateral rectus muscles are shifted to the
open end. This assumes the obvious that the surgeon
recesses the medial rectus for esodeviations and
resects it for exodeviations and recesses the lateral
rectus for exodeviations and resects it for esodevia-
tions.
In A esotropia the medial rectus muscles are
shifted upward at least 5 mm (approximately half the
muscle width) and no more than 10 mm (approxi-
mately one muscle width). It is not firmly established
that graded amounts of vertical displacement result in
graded amounts of A or V pattern reduction. In
this type of recession it is important to place the new
insertion concentric with the limbus. Therefore, it is
probably best to use calipers or a scleral ruler to
measure from the limbus. In cases of A or V pat-
tern without strabismus in the primary position, the
horizontal rectus muscles may be shifted upward or
downward with only enough recession to offset the
resection effect of suture placement. In V pattern
esotropia the medial rectus muscles are recessed and
shifted downward. In V pattern exotropia the later-
al rectus muscles are recessed and shifted upward. In
A pattern exotropia the lateral rectus muscles are
recessed and shifted downward. Vertical shifting of
the horizontal rectus may be carried out when a reces-
sion-resection procedure is performed. In this case,
the same rules apply.
B The medial recti are recessed and shifted up to treat an
A esotropia.
continued.
 Recession of a rectus muscle

Figure 23, contd

C The medial recti are recessed and shifted down to treat
V esotropia.
D The lateral recti are recessed and shifted up to treat V
exotropia.
E The lateral recti are recessed and shifted down to treat
A exotropia.
F In the left eye, the medial rectus is resected and shifted
up and the lateral rectus is recessed and shifted down to
treat a A exotropia.

191
Chapter 7
Resection effect of suture
placement posterior to the
muscle hook
Traditionally the suture is placed as near as
possible to the muscle's insertion during recession
before cutting the muscle from the globe to avoid the
unwanted resection effect. It is thought that this
resection effect will nullify a certain but unspecified
amount of the intended recession. I place the suture
about 1 mm behind the insertion to avoid the possi-
A B
C D
Figure 24
A 1 mm resection effect with a posterior (safe) suture
placement.
B With a small resection effect, the new point of insertion is
more important than the slight reduction in the redundant
muscle.
C If the suture securing the muscle before it is detached
from the globe is placed distal to the muscle hook (closer
to the insertion), the resection effect is avoided or at
least diminished.
192
bility of cutting the suture when detaching the mus-
cle. This also ensures a more secure union of suture
and muscle. I believe that the new point of muscle
attachment on the sclera is more important than the
muscle tendon length when the recession is large and
the resection effect is small (Figure 24).
D With no (or minimal) resection effect the same point of
reattachment is achieved, but the muscle is a bit longer
or more redundant.
E A potential pitfall of reducing the resection effect by
placing the suture as near as possible to the distal end of
the muscle before detaching it from the globe is slippage
of the tendon and muscle in the capsule. This
complication, called a slipped muscle is responsible for
some early and late overcorrections, particularly after
medial rectus recession for infantile esotropia.

Hang-back recession
The hang-back recession has been described as
"a simple, safe alternative to conventional recession."
The procedure is said to be less likely to result in scle-
ral perforation because needles are placed through
relatively thicker sclera near the insertion site.
Another reported safety factor is that because the
suture placement site is more anterior, it is more
accessible to the surgeon. Results are said to be com-
parable to conventional recession when appropriate
doses are used. The attachment site has been shown
to be about where it was intended on studies carried
out on monkeys who had horizontal recti recessed
A B
C D
Figure 25
A Hang-back recession of the lateral rectus muscle through
a cul-de-sac incision. 6-0 synthetic absorbable suture is
used.
B The knot in the suture is pulled to bring the cut end of
the muscle to the muscle stump. The suture is
measured with calipers to determine the distance the
muscle is recessed from the insertion.
Recession of a rectus muscle
with the hang-back technique. In humans who had
hang-back recession of the superior rectus, reattach-
ment 11.5 and 12.0 mm from the insertion (as intend-
ed by the surgeon) was confirmed by x-ray study of a
stainless steel suture placed at the end of the superior
rectus. Hang-back recession of the inferior rectus is
likely to result in the complication of lower lid ptosis
and muscle slippage. The inferior rectus muscle may
be least suitable for hang-back recession, except in
desperate cases as might occur in some cases of fibro-
sis syndrome and severe thyroid ophthalmopathy
(Figure 25).
C Sutures may be brought through the muscle stump at the
width of the muscle. A limbal incision is used.
D The amount of hang back recession is measured for the
superior rectus.
193
Chapter 7
Partial disinsertion
Spielmann has described slanted recession of
the rectus muscles for treatment of head tilt without
oblique muscle dysfunction. This procedure involves
recession of part of the insertion of the eight rectus
muscles. Because all rectus muscles are operated on,
great care must be exercised to preserve the anterior
ciliary artery in each muscle that is not involved in
suture placement and partial muscle detachment. von
Noorden accomplishes the torsional Kestenbaum by
moving the entire superior and inferior rectus inser-
tion to rotate the eye in the direction of the head tilt
(see chapter 13). In cases of strong fixation prefer-
ence, only the fixing eye need be done. DeDecker
accomplishes the torsional Kestenbaum by recess-
ing and resecting the four oblique muscles, a daunting
task in most hands (Figure 26).
Figure 26
A For head tilt to the left, the nasal half of the right superior
rectus and the temporal half of the left superior rectus is
recessed and this procedure is continued around the
globe to rotate the eye in the direction of the head tilt.
194
Recession of a rectus muscle
with sparing of the anterior
arteries
Detaching a rectus muscle irrevocably destroys
the ciliary artery circulation carried with that muscle
to supply the anterior segment of the eye. As a means
of detaching a rectus muscle without compromising
anterior segment circulation, rectus muscle detach-
ment with sparing of the anterior ciliary arteries has
been described. This technique is accomplished with
magnification supplied by the operation microscope
or by loupes. Pre-placing the sutures in the muscle
and also in sclera at the point of intended reattach-
ment is recommended to avoid stretching and possi-
ble breaking of the anterior ciliary arteries when the
muscle is detached.
B For head tilt to the right, the temporal half of the right
superior rectus and the nasal half of the left superior
rectus is recessed and this procedure is continued
around the globe.

In addition to a recession, muscle transfer pro-
cedure may be carried out with sparing of the anteri-
or ciliary arteries. When muscle transfer is done even
more of the anterior ciliary arteries must be freed
from the substance of the muscle to avoid excess trac-
tion on these delicate vessels.
After the muscle has been exposed, the anteri-
or ciliary arteries are lifted up very gently with a fine
blunt muscle hook or cannula. A small snip incision
must be made in the muscle capsule with delicate
blunt dissection parallel to the anterior ciliary artery.
A fine suture is placed very gently around the
anterior ciliary artery and the artery is lifted away
from the muscle. The artery should be dissected free
from the muscle several millimeters farther than the
muscle is to be recessed. For example, if the muscle
Figure 27
A The anterior ciliary artery is dissected from the muscle
substance and is lifted on a small hook or cannula.
B Sutures are placed at the borders of the muscle while
the arteries are lifted.
Recession of a rectus muscle
is to be recessed 5 mm, 7 to 8 mm of anterior ciliary
artery should be freed from the muscle. Two single-
arm sutures are then placed at the muscle's edge 1 mm
behind the insertion and separated from the intact
anterior ciliary arteries.
The sutures are put in sclera (pre-placed) at the
intended point of recession to prevent the muscle
from retracting so far into the orbit that the fragile
anterior ciliary arteries are ruptured (Figure 27).
With the anterior ciliary arteries retracted away
from the muscle and with the pre-placed recession
sutures in place but looped away from the insertion,
the muscle is detached from its scleral insertion.
The muscle is tied down to sclera at the intend-
ed point of recession. The intact anterior ciliary arter-
ies continue to function uninterrupted.
C Sutures are placed in sclera at the point of intended
recession.
continued.
195
Chapter 7

D E

Figure 27, contd

D The muscle is cut from its scleral insertion.
E The muscle is attached to sclera, the ciliary arteries remaining intact.

Slanted recession
Slanted reattachment of a recessed horizon-
tal rectus muscle suggested by Nemet has been used
for treatment of A and V. The muscle edge that is A
to be weakened more is recessed farther back com-
pared to the other edge. This follows the principle
of selective weakening by moving the entire muscle
in the direction that you intend to weaken the mus-
cle (Figure 28).

Figure 28
A Medial rectus top edge recessed 5 mm farther for treat-
ing an A esotropia.
B Medial rectus recession with the lower edge recessed 5
mm farther back to treat a V esotropia.

196
 Recession of a rectus muscle

Y split of the lateral rectus

In cases of Duane syndrome with a tight later-
al rectus co-contraction of the medial and lateral recti
can cause the eye to shoot up or down as you would
pinch a slippery pumpkin seed through your fingers.
The up and down shoot is caused by the knife edge
of the taut lateral rectus. To lessen this knife edge
effect, a Y split can be employed to effectively
broaden the lateral rectus insertion. To accomplish
this, the muscle is isolated in the usual way. It is then
split along the long axis for approximately 15 mm.
Sutures are then placed in each of the isolated muscle
halves. These muscle halves are detached and reat- Figure 29
tached to sclera with adjacent borders separated by 10 Y split of the lateral rectus can be done
mm. The Y split may be done with or without reces- with or without recession in cases of tight
sion (Figure 29). lateral rectus muscle in Duane syndrome.

197

Resection of a rectus muscle
Overview
Resection of an extraocular muscle is general-
ly classified as a strengthening procedure. But
removal of all or part of a muscle's tendon with or
without inclusion of some muscle fibers merely short-
ens and does not actively strengthen a muscle, at least
after the initial reflex spasticity subsides. The princi-
pal benefit of a resection may be to enhance the effect
of a recession procedure done on the antagonist mus-
cle. Actually, if muscle fibers are removed at the time
of resection, theoretically the muscle should be weak-
er! In the clinical setting, this does not seem to be the
case. As I became more aware of the relationship
between passive mechanical factors and dynamic
neural factors in the surgical management of strabis-
mus, I performed more recessions and fewer resec-
tions.
Although resection procedures are relatively
easy to perform, they can result in more redness and
lumpiness of the conjunctiva, particularly in the area
of the medial rectus. Natural barriers to orbital fat are
also brought more anteriorly around the medial rec-
tus, promoting the possibility of unsightly fullness
after resection. Nevertheless, resection of a rectus
muscle is indicated in many strabismus cases.
In addition to conjunctival problems that occur
after resection of the medial rectus, palpebral fissure
narrowing can occur after inferior rectus resection,
and some ptosis of the upper lid, which is manifested
by narrowing of the palpebral fissure, after superior
rectus resection.
The inferior oblique may be included inadver-
tently during resection of the lateral rectus. This
avoidable complication can cause limited elevation
and/or depression in the involved eye, often with
mechanical restriction causing unexpected horizontal
and vertical strabismus. This complication occurs
8
more often than we had suspected. In a recent series
of patients undergoing reoperation of the lateral rec-
tus for both overcorrection and undercorrection and
after resection or recession, 38% of patients had the
inferior oblique included at the inferior border of the
lateral rectus. Of course, this series studied only
those patients needing reoperation; nonetheless, this
specific surgical complication is one we encounter
frequently in our practice.
As an alternative to rectus muscle resection,
there has been a revival of the tucking procedure for
these muscles. An advantage of tucking is that the
anterior ciliary circulation of the tucked muscle can
remain patent. I have used this technique on the last
rectus muscle in a patient who had had the other three
rectus muscles detached.
Horizontal rectus resection
(medial and lateral rectus
muscles)
The minimum amount of resection of either a
medial rectus or a lateral rectus muscle is 5 mm,
regardless of the age of the patient (Figure 1). In gen-
eral, a resection of a horizontal rectus muscle is less
effective in altering ocular alignment than a recession
of the same amount; hence the larger relative minimal
values for horizontal rectus resection.
The maximum resection for a horizontal rectus
muscle is 8 mm for infants less than 1 year and ordi-
narily 10+ mm for older children and adults.
However, upper limit figures for resection procedures
are very loosely adhered to, in contrast to the mini-
mum figures which tend to be strictly followed. In a
patient with a very large deviation and a reason to
limit surgery to one eye, horizontal rectus resection of
199
Chapter 8
Figure 1
A Minimum dissection of a horizontal rectus muscle is 5
mm.
up to 14 mm may be performed. Some incomitance
may result in these cases, but the benefits can out-
weigh the consequences of incomitance. For exam-
ple, a blind eye with 90 prism diopters of exotropia
occurring in a patient who wishes no extraocular
muscle surgery on the seeing eye can be treated with
a large resection of the medial rectus and a large
recession of the lateral rectus, perhaps combined with
a marginal myotomy. This maneuver will result in
straighter eyes in the primary position, and, in my
experience, the incomitance produced is not bother-
some to the patient and is not a cosmetic defect. It is
likely that more problems are created by horizontal
resections that are too small than by those that are too
large.
200
B Maximum resection of a horizontal rectus is 10 mm (in
special cases this can be increased to 14 mm.
Management of the
intermuscular membrane in
horizontal rectus resection
Fifty consecutive horizontal rectus resections
were performed using minimum and maximum dis-
section techniques alternately. It was found that a
slightly greater effect and slightly more predictable
resection results were obtained after maximum dis-
section of the intermuscular membrane. This finding
is contrary to what was a popularly held belief that
leaving as much of the intermuscular membrane as
possible intact produces more effect with rectus mus-
cle shortening or strengthening.
At the conclusion of the rectus muscle resec-
tion but before the conjunctiva is closed, additional
dissection of the intermuscular membrane may be
carried out. These attachments along with overlying
tissue attachments to anterior Tenon's capsule are
freed to allow these tissues to recede normally, reduc-
ing the bulky tissue over the resected muscle and
increasing the likelihood of free ductions after sur-
gery. During this dissection, care should be exercised
to avoid entering the orbital fat space, which is just
behind Tenons capsule at the midpoint of the muscle
(Figure 2).
 Resection of a rectus muscle

A B

C D

E F

Figure 2
A The rectus muscle in its capsule with intermuscular
membrane intact.
B Intermuscular membrane is dissected to the extent of the
resection.
C The resection clamp is placed - sutures are placed
according to the surgeons preference.
D After resection the intermuscular membrane is at the
level of the new insertion.
E Or, the muscle clamp is placed after intermuscular mem-
brane is dissected several mm posterior to the extent of
resection.
F The new insertion is free of intermuscular membrane. Be
sure the muscle is firmly attached to avoid a possible
lost muscle!

Resection clamp technique for

rectus muscle resection
The technique for resection of the medial and
lateral rectus is identical. Our choice for suture mate-
rial is 6-0 braided, coated synthetic absorbable with a
.203 mm wire diameter spatula needle.
The muscle is exposed and the intermuscular
membrane and check ligaments are dissected accord-
ing to the surgeon's preference. A muscle clamp is
placed across the muscle to include the amount of
muscle and tendon the surgeon intends to resect. A
caliper is used to measure from the muscle hook,
which is behind the insertion of the muscle, to the
anterior edge of the clamp. Adjustments to the posi-

201
Chapter 8

tion of the clamp are made if necessary. The muscle

should not be stretched at this time. Some surgeons
prefer to measure from a point just anterior to the
muscle hook behind the insertion, to a point just pos-
terior to the muscle clamp, the point where the sutures A
are eventually placed. Larger numbers will result
when this type of measurement is made, but the same
size resection will be accomplished. An important
thing to remember when measuring a resection or any
extraocular muscle strengthening or weakening pro-
cedure is that consistent technique by the surgeon is
the only way to achieve predictable results. Because
of likelihood for variations in technique, one sur-
geon's numbers do not transfer to another.

Suture placement
After the muscle clamp has been placed accord-
ing to the measured amount of the intended resection,
the tendon is severed from its insertion. A 1 mm
tendinous stump should be left at the insertion to
serve as an anchoring place for sutures. The sclera B
immediately behind the insertion of the rectus mus-
cles is only 0.3 mm thick so this tendinous stump pro-
vides a safety factor during suture placement (Figure
3).
Double-arm sutures are inserted in a backhand
manner through the tendinous insertion. At this time
care should be taken to free the under surface and
inferior border of the lateral rectus from the inferior
oblique. If this is not accomplished, the inferior
oblique could be brought forward to the new insertion
of the resected lateral rectus, causing inferior oblique
inclusion which produces a postoperative vertical and
sometimes horizontal deviation.
The sutures are carried through the muscle
behind or posterior to the resection clamp. The assis-
tant grasps the needle tip and pulls the suture through.
The two double-arm sutures are placed in a horizon- C
tal mattress fashion, first through the insertion, and
then through the muscle behind the clamp (Figure 4).
After the sutures have been placed through the
muscle, the resection clamp is loosened and moved to
the tip of the tendon. A Nugent or other suitable for-
ceps is used to hold the tip of the tendon while the
resection clamp is advanced. Traction is placed on
the muscle clamp to advance the muscle so that the
point of passage of the sutures through the muscle is Figure 3
directly over the line of the original muscle insertion. A Measuring the resection
B Cutting the muscle from the globe. Leave a 1 mm
The sutures are tied securely with a surgeon's knot. A stump.
hemostat is used to crush the tendon just anterior to C A suture is placed backhand through the stump.
the point where the sutures are tied. A battery-oper-
ated cautery is used at this point to cauterize the
crush line on the muscle to control bleeding before
cutting off the muscle-tendon to be resected. Scissors
are used to excise the excess tendon (Figure 5).

202
 Resection of a rectus muscle

A B

Figure 4
A The needle passes through the muscle behind the B The process is continued with two double armed mat-
clamp. tress sutures in place.

A B

C D

Figure 5
A The muscle clamp is advanced to the end of the muscle.
B The sutures are tied securely as the resection line is
brought over the stump.
C The muscle is crimped just anterior to the sutures with a
hemostat.
D The crimped line is cauterized.
E The excess muscle tissue is excised.

203
Chapter 8
With the excess tendon removed, the shortened
muscle abuts the point of the original tendinous inser-
tion. The double horizontal mattress sutures with
bites several millimeters apart afford a secure union
of the resected muscle across its entire width. A cross
section at the point of union shows that the tendon
stump and muscle are joined in a slightly puckered
butt joint. This gradually settles over several weeks,
Figure 6
A A butt joint.
B A lap joint.
204
producing a smooth appearance to the conjunctiva
overlying the resected muscle insertion. Sutures may
be placed through the stump of the muscle from the
muscle side. A lap joint is produced. It is also possi-
ble to put the needles through the muscle first and
then through the insertion producing a butt joint
(Figure 6).
C Sutures brought through the muscle and then through
the stump produce a butt joint.

Double-arm suture technique
for rectus muscle resection
Some surgeons prefer to resect the rectus mus-
cles, either horizontal or vertical, using one double-
arm suture. This technique lacks some of the insur-
ance factors of using two separate horizontal mat-
tress sutures, but, according to those surgeons who
prefer this technique, it is completely safe.
The muscle is exposed and, after measurement,
the extent of tendon and muscle resection is deter-
mined. A 6-0 synthetic absorbable suture is used to
split the muscle at this point from edge to edge. A
3 mm loop is then taken slightly behind this suture
line at each muscle border and the loops are locked.
These loops should include the anterior ciliary ves-
sels. The section of the muscle to be resected is
B C
D E
Figure 7
A A single double arm suture is placed suitable for the
intended resection. Locking bites are then placed imme-
diately behind the suture.
B After cutting out the section of muscle to be resected, the
sutures are brought through the stump.
Resection of a rectus muscle
excised with scissors after the muscle is crushed with
a hemostat just behind the insertion and just in front
of the suture line. Each arm of the suture is brought
out through the edge of the stump of the muscle's
original insertion, and the suture may be tied to itself.
For more security and to prevent sag of the muscle's
new insertion, each suture may be brought back
through the insertion near its center. The sutures are
then brought through the central portion of the mus-
cle from beneath. The suture is gently sawed to
bring the remaining muscle up to the original inser-
tion. A surgeon's knot is tied, securing the resected
muscle in place (Figure 7).
C The sutures are tied.
D For added security the sutures can be brought back
through the stump and muscle...
E ...and tied securely.
205
Chapter 8
Resection of the superior
rectus
The minimum superior rectus resection is 2.5 to
3 mm and the maximum is 5 mm. Resection of less
than 2.5 to 3 mm is probably ineffective, and resec-
tion of more than 5 mm causes a forward and down-
ward shift of the upper lid, creating ptosis.
Because of the proximity of the superior oblique
tendon to the insertion of the superior rectus, dissec-
tion of the intermuscular membrane of the superior
rectus before resection must be performed carefully.
This dissection should be carried back only a mil-
limeter or so beyond the extent of the intended resec-
tion. The limited room available in the area of the
superior rectus makes a free suture technique for
resection preferable to the muscle clamp technique
used by some for horizontal rectus resection.
After exposing the muscle, a single arm suture is
placed at each muscle border at the intended point of
resection. These sutures are tied with a square knot
A B
C D
Figure 8
A Two single arm sutures are placed at the muscle border
and are secured with a square knot.
B The muscle is crimped.
206
ligating the anterior ciliary vessels. A hemostat is
used to crush the tendon just anterior to the point of
suture placement. A hot tip electrocautery can be
used to seal off the vessels and reduce bleeding when
the tendon is cut. Scissors sever the tendon along the
crushed line just anterior to the point of suture place-
ment. The tendon is trimmed from its insertion, leav-
ing a 1 mm stump. The previously placed sutures are
used to reattach the tendon to the muscle stump at the
point of the original insertion. Very frequently a gap
exists in the center of the muscle. A third suture
placed at the center of the insertion eliminates the
gapping and provides a more secure union of the
muscle and insertion. A single double-arm suture or
a tandem suture may be used in place of the two sin-
gle-arm sutures according to the surgeon's preference
(Figure 8).
C The muscle is cut anterior to the sutures.
D The resected muscle is cut leaving a 1 mm stump.
continued.

E F
Figure 8, contd
E The sutures are tied
Inferior rectus resection
technique
The minimum inferior rectus resection is 2.5 to
3 mm and the maximum is 5+ mm, under ordinary
circumstances. However, when a very large hyperde-
viation is present, the surgeon may in some instances
safely resect up to 9 mm or more of the inferior rec-
tus. The inferior rectus must be dissected carefully
from its attachments to Lockwood's ligament. Also,
between 8 and 12 mm posterior to the inferior rectus
insertion, a vortex vein pierces the sclera adjacent to
the inferior rectus muscle border. Great care should
be exercised to avoid cutting a vortex vein.
To expose more of the inferior rectus muscle
when a large resection is intended, two muscle hooks
A B
Figure 9
A A second hook exposes the inferior rectus back to
Lockwoods ligament.
Resection of a rectus muscle
F An optional third suture is placed at the middle of the
insertion to close any gap.
are used to expose the area of the resected muscle and
tendon before placing the sutures. After measurement
with calipers, two single arm sutures are placed at the
borders of the muscle. After a second pass through
the muscle border these sutures are tied with a square
knot. The anterior ciliary vessels should be ligated
with this suture. The muscle is clamped just anterior
to the line of suture. The tendon and muscle to be
resected are excised using scissors. The two sutures
are used to reattach the tendon to the original inser-
tion and usually a third central suture is required to
prevent gapping in the center (Figure 9).
B Two double arm sutures are placed at the muscle bor-
ders, a second loop is added and secured with a knot.
continued.
207
Chapter 8
C D
Figure 9, contd
C The muscle is crimped anterior to the sutures.
D The muscle is cut in front of the sutures and then at the
insertion leaving a 1 mm stump.
Tandem suture technique for
rectus muscle resection
A reliable technique for rectus muscle resec-
tion is the tandem suture. With this technique, two
separate double-arm sutures are woven through the
muscle's thickness and are then locked at the muscle
edges. This procedure is identical to placing a single
double-arm suture for resection except that two dou-
ble-arm sutures are used. The sutures are placed in
the muscle stump and tied. The tandem suture pro-
duces a very tidy resection with the resected muscle
abutting the resected muscle's insertion stump.
Doubling the suture creates a secure reattachment.
Also for adjustable resections and recessions, the tan-
dem suture is effective (see chapter 12). I also use the
tandem suture technique occasionally for horizontal
rectus recession.
After the muscle has been exposed by adequate
dissection, two double-armed 6-0 Vicryl braided,
coated synthetic absorbable sutures with a 0.203 mm
wire diameter spatula needle are woven through the
muscle, splitting its thickness. They are locked with
208
E The muscle is sutured to the globe with a central suture
added.
3 mm locking bites at the muscle's border. The pos-
terior suture is placed first, just behind the intended
point of resection. The anterior or proximal suture is
placed at the intended point of resection. This order
of suture placement cuts down on bleeding because
the posterior suture ligates the anterior ciliary vessels
or at least most of them. A clamp is placed across the
muscle to crush it, promoting hemostasis. A hot tip
electrocautery is applied to the crush line to help
ensure hemostasis.
After the muscle has been crushed and cauter-
ized at the line of intended transection, the muscle is
cut. The cut end of the muscle recedes and the prox-
imal stump is held up with forceps and is cut from the
globe, leaving a 1 mm stump of tendon at the inser-
tion. The sutures are then brought through the mus-
cle's stump with about 1 mm separating the sutures at
the respective borders of the insertion. The suture
ends are then tied producing a secure reapproxima-
tion of the cuts ends of the muscle (Figure 10).
 Resection of a rectus muscle

B C

E
D

Figure 10
A Two double arm sutures are placed about 1 mm apart C The muscle is crimped anterior to the suture.
with an added loop secured with a knot. D Cautery is placed on the crimped line
B The anterior suture is at the point of intended resection. E The muscle is cut.
continued.

209
Chapter 8
F G
Figure 10, contd
F The excised muscle is cut from sclera leaving a 1 mm
stump.
Plication (tuck) of a rectus
muscle
When a rectus muscle is to be strengthened
(shortened), an alternative method is the plication or
tuck. This procedure has the advantage of retaining
an undisturbed or less disturbed anterior ciliary circu-
lation at least compared to the standard resection
which transects these vessels. Some say that the pli-
cation when performed carefully produces less post-
operative tissue reaction. Others say that an unsight-
ly lump is produced. I use this procedure when it is
necessary to preserve anterior segment circulation for
any reason. Theoretically, a plication should be as
effective as a similar sized resection. I have per-
formed too few of the procedures to personally con-
firm this, but I believe it is true. This technique can
be used on any of the rectus muscles.
210
G Sutures are brought through the stump...
H ...and tied.
After exposing the muscle, a double-arm suture
is placed near each muscle border using a locking
bite. The ciliary arteries are avoided. The sutures are
placed a distance from the insertion equal to the
intended amount of muscle shortening. A spatula or
fine muscle hook lifts the muscle about halfway
between the sutures and the muscle's insertion. The
needles are then passed through the tendon at the
insertion. The sutures are tied, bringing the point of
suture placement up to the insertion creating a loop of
redundant muscle-tendon and shortening of the mus-
cle. The redundant loop of muscle-tendon is sutured
to the muscle to reduce the bulk (Figure 11).
 Resection of a rectus muscle

A B

C D

Figure 11
A A double arm suture is placed at each muscle border at C The sutures are tied creating a loop.
the point equal to the intended muscle shortening and D The tip of the loop is secured to the top of the muscle.
are secured with a knot.
B The sutures are brought through the insertion of the
muscle.

Displacement of horizontal
rectus muscles with resection
for A and V patterns
As with all vertical displacements of the hori-
zontal rectus for treatment of vertically incomitant
strabismus, the lateral rectus muscles are moved
toward the open end of the pattern, and the medial
rectus muscles are moved toward the closed end of
the pattern. The surgeon needs to remember that
medial rectus muscles are weakened and the lateral
rectus muscles strengthened for esodeviations; con-
versely, the medial rectus muscles are strengthened
and the lateral rectus muscles weakened for exodevi-
ations.
A recession-resection procedure is carried out
on the left eye of a patient with a V pattern exotropia.
The resected left medial rectus is shifted one-half
muscle width downward, and the recessed left lateral
rectus is shifted one-half muscle width upward
(Figure 12).

211
Chapter 8

Figure 12
A The medial rectus is resected and moved down while the B The resected medial rectus is moved up and the
lateral rectus is recessed and moved up to treat a V XT. recessed lateral rectus is moved down for an A XT.

Vertical effect from horizontal

rectus resection and recession
When performing a resection-recession proce- The muscles are moved upward one-half muscle
dure on a patient who also has a small to moderate width or more if the eye is hypodeviated and down-
vertical deviation, both rectus muscles may be shifted ward one-half muscle width or more if the eye is
vertically in the same direction. This approach can hyperdeviated (Figure 13).
treat the vertical deviation without altering the effect
of the procedure for the esodeviation or exodeviation.

Figure 13
A The eyes are ET 40D with a right hypotropia of 15D.
continued.

212

Figure 13, contd
B The medial rectus is recessed 5 mm (or approximately
10.5 mm from the limbus) and the lateral rectus is resect-
ed 8.5 mm. Both muscles are shifted one-half muscle
width upward.
C The eyes should be better aligned vertically and horizon-
tally after surgery.
Resection of a rectus muscle
D The eyes are XT 40D with a right hypertropia of 15D.
E The lateral rectus is recessed 7 mm and the medial rec-
tus is resected 8 mm. Both muscles are shifted down-
ward.
F The eyes should be better aligned vertically and horizon-
tally after surgery.
213

Surgery of the obliques
Oblique muscle surgery
The superior oblique is the muscle most fre-
quently affected in acquired extraocular muscle palsy
at least as seen by the strabismologist. In the treat-
ment of superior oblique palsy most of the surgical
activity involves the other oblique muscle, the inferi-
or oblique. For most indications, myectomy, reces-
sion, or anterior transposition of the inferior oblique
are the most commonly performed oblique muscle
surgical procedure. Inferior oblique weakening is
commonly performed, usually bilaterally, to treat
what is called primary overaction of the inferior
obliques and also for inferior oblique overaction after
bimedial rectus recession. Both demonstrate strabis-
mus sursoadductorius (elevation in adduction) and
produce a V pattern.
There are two important reasons why inferior
oblique weakening is the surgery of choice in superi-
or oblique palsy. The first and most important reason
is to avoid attempts at strengthening the superior
oblique. Because the reflected tendon of the superior
oblique has a limited potential amount of slack or
redundancy, especially in acquired superior oblique
palsy, tuck or resection of this tendon can cause an
iatrogenic Brown's syndrome (restricted elevation in
adduction). The second reason is that weakening of
the inferior oblique muscle is simple, effective and
predictable.
Surgical treatment of superior oblique palsy is
usually indicated in unilateral cases because of
asthenopia or constant or intermittent diplopia with or
without head tilt. Bilateral superior oblique palsy is
treated surgically because of nonfusable torsional
diplopia and/or severe chin depression to deal with
the V pattern.
The superior oblique is the extraocular muscle
most likely to be anomalous. These anomalies range
from laxity or redundance to a misdirected insertion
or even absence of the reflected tendon and trochlea,
9
as occurs in some cases of congenital superior
oblique palsy. This phenomenon was initially noted
in cases with severe craniofacial abnormality. Later it
was found in patients who were thought simply to
have congenital superior oblique palsy. Patients with
congenital superior oblique palsy who are subse-
quently found to have absence of the superior oblique
tendon are likely to have one or more of the follow-
ing features: horizontal strabismus, head tilt, ambly-
opia, facial asymmetry (with the fuller face on the
side of the absent tendon), and marked underaction of
the superior oblique.
In addition to these clinical findings that sug-
gest a tendon anomaly, traction testing of the superi-
or oblique tendon in the operating room at the time of
surgery must be done to further identify tendon laxi-
ty. This test should be done in all patients with supe-
rior oblique palsy undergoing surgery. The superior
oblique traction test provides reliable information
about the state of the superior oblique tendon; infor-
mation that is essential for the design of the appropri-
ate surgical procedure. In cases with laxity of the ten-
don, which is the hallmark of congenital superior
oblique palsy, the superior oblique traction test will
be positive for a loose tendon. This test is deemed
positive if the globe is retroplaced easily in the orbit
and the normal taut superior oblique tendon with the
globe popping over is not felt. Instead, a less dis-
tinct or soft tendon band or perhaps no tendon band
at all is felt. Strengthening procedures on the superi-
or oblique should be done only in cases where laxity
of the tendon can be confirmed by this test or in
selected cases with severe torsion. A positive (loose)
traction test followed by exploration confirming that
the tendon is anomalous confirms that the superior
oblique palsy is of congenital origin, in my opinion.
However, the question remains in the mind of some:
Could prolonged paresis lead to secondary laxity or
215
Chapter 9
elongation of the tendon? For congenital superior
oblique palsy with a lax or misdirected tendon, I do a
strengthening or shortening procedure of the superior
oblique tendon. If the tendon is absent, the antago-
nist, or yoke muscle, is weakened and, in some cases,
the ipsilateral superior rectus is weakened.
A newer oblique muscle procedure is the ante-
rior transposition of the inferior oblique. This proce-
dure is performed in cases of overaction of the inferi-
or obliques with V pattern and dissociated vertical
deviation. The new insertion of the inferior oblique is
placed just anterior to the temporal corner of the infe-
rior rectus insertion. In addition to weakening inferi-
or oblique action, it seems to have a tethering effect
on the upward movement of the globe and therefore
lessens the amplitude of vertical deviation of the
DVD.
Stager has devised a procedure placing the new
insertion of the inferior oblique nasal to the inferior
rectus. This changes the inferior oblique from an
extorter to an intorter and is therefore potentially use-
ful in cases with large extorsion.
Other surgical procedures of the obliques
include weakening procedures of the superior oblique
usually performed by means of tenectomy, tenotomy,
or disinsertion. Marginal tenotomy of the superior
oblique has been described, but it is not a logical
choice because it is either not effective or it becomes
a complete tenotomy because of the cable-like make-
up of the tendon. A few surgeons prefer to weaken
the superior oblique by recession. No clear-cut dif-
ference in results of these weakening procedures has
been provided. The complex anatomy of the superior
oblique tendon as it relates to the superior rectus and
superior orbital fascia contributes to the differing
results from the various weakening procedures.
Transfer of the superior oblique tendon, with-
out fracture of the trochlea, is accomplished in some
cases of third nerve palsy. Fracture of the trochlea to
achieve removal of the tendon is, in my opinion, not
practical and should not be attempted. Shift of the
anterior insertion fibers (or the entire insertion) is per-
formed to enhance intorsion in selected cases of supe-
rior oblique palsy, especially in bilaterally involved
individuals with torsional diplopia.
A technique for treating Brown syndrome
employs a band of silicone used as an expander to
lengthen the superior oblique tendon nasal to the
superior rectus. A variety of procedures for weaken-
ing the superior oblique in cases of Brown syndrome
are done, ranging from disinsertion of the posterior
seven-eighths of the insertion to tenectomy near the
trochlea. However, any technique can fail in some
cases and succeed in others. This tells us that no sur-
gical procedure or strabismus surgeon (at least that I
have heard of) has the surgical answer for all cases of
Brown syndrome.
216
A half century ago, the superior oblique was
described as nolo tangere or do not touch. This
advice is no longer valid, but I would replace this
advice with the recommendation for superior oblique
surgery, handle with care. In contrast, the inferior
oblique is weakened frequently and in most cases
results are good. While the superior and inferior are
both oblique muscles, the similarity ends there.
Weakening the inferior oblique
Inferior oblique myectomy
When performed carefully, an inferior oblique
myectomy can be completed with little or no bleeding
and fat should never be encountered. Because the
inferior temporal vortex vein may be encountered, it
must be dealt with carefully to avoid rupture. If the
vein is severed, copious bleeding will occur. This
would be controlled with tamponade and/or cautery.
Given the more or less blind sweep of the hook it is a
pleasant and certainly welcome occurrence that vor-
tex vein rupture in this area occurs so infrequently. In
nearly 40 years, I have not seen this.
Persistent inferior oblique overaction can result
if a slip of muscle is not cut or if the proximal cut end
of the inferior oblique attaches to the sclera resulting
in scarring and fibrosis. This is avoided by tucking
the proximal end of the inferior oblique behind poste-
rior Tenon's capsule.
The incision for exposure of the inferior
oblique muscle is approximately 8 mm long. It is
located 8 mm from the limbus and is concentric with
it . It is also anterior to the inferior fat pad (Figure 1).
The eye is stabilized in elevation and adduction with
a locking forceps. One or two fine-toothed forceps
are used initially to elevate the conjunctiva, Tenon's
capsule, and intermuscular membrane, and a snip
incision is made between the forceps, exposing bare
sclera (Figure 2). Blunt-tipped Wescott scissors are
inserted into the incision against bare sclera and the
scissors tips are spread to separate with blunt dissec-
tion the filamentous attachments between the sclera
and posterior Tenon's capsule.
To expose the anterior border of the inferior
oblique muscle, the surgeon first places a large mus-
cle hook behind the insertion of the lateral and the
inferior rectus muscles. Then a third muscle hook is
used to elevate the posterior border of the conjuncti-
va - Tenon's capsule incision. Deep in the incision at
the junction of the sclera and posterior Tenon's cap-
sule, the anterior border of the inferior oblique will be
seen.
A small hook is placed flat against sclera,
indenting it slightly with the tip toward the inferior
rectus (or toward the lateral rectus). The hook is gen-
tly slid beneath the inferior oblique muscle until the
orbital wall is felt. The tip of the hook is then rotated
 Surgery of the obliques

A B

Figure 1
A The site of the incision for exposing the inferior oblique. B A snip incision going through conjunctiva, anterior
Tenons capsule, and intermuscular membrane exposes
bare sclera.

A B

C D

Figure 2
A Blunt dissection frees intermuscular membrane from C A small hook slides posteriorly along sclera and is rotat-
sclera. ed when it is behind the posterior border of the inferior
B Large muscle hooks are placed behind the insertion of oblique.
the lateral and inferior rectus and a small hook lifts inter- D The small hook brings the inferior oblique forward.
muscular membrane exposing the anterior border of the
inferior oblique.

217
Chapter 9

until it points at the junction of the lateral and inferi-
or orbital rim. As the inferior oblique is engaged, the
hook retracting conjunctiva is pulled back to expose
the tip of the small hook that shows through Tenon's
fascia and is beyond the posterior muscle border.
When the inferior oblique muscle is engaged on the
teaser hook, the surgeon must take great care to bring
the muscle forward, making sure that only the muscle
is included and avoiding making a hole in the inter-
muscular membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule)
which would result in prolapse of orbital fat (Figure
3). Fortunately, the inferior temporal vortex vein is
very infrequently ruptured. However, excess blind
manipulation in this area should be avoided to lessen
the chances of this annoying complication.

A B

C D

Figure 3
A The tip of the small hook is seen behind the posterior
border of the inferior oblique.
B A knife or scissor exposes the tip of the hook.
C A second hook is introduced.
D The hooks, or larger hooks that have replaced the small
hooks, are rotated to inspect the inferior oblique poste-
rior edge of the inferior oblique with the under surface of
posterior Tenons capsule behind.
E If some inferior oblique muscle is seen behind the hooks,
it is carefully included by placing a second pair of hooks.

218

A scissors or a scalpel blade is used to cut
down on the tip of the small hook, exposing it behind
the inferior oblique. A second hook is placed and the
fascial layers associated with the muscle are dissect-
ed from the muscle, exposing 5 to 8 mm of the infe-
rior oblique. The muscle hooks behind the insertions
of the lateral and inferior rectus muscles may be
removed as soon as the second hook is placed under
the inferior oblique. The small hooks under the infe-
rior oblique are replaced by two larger hooks, which
are rotated away from the scleral surface and the
undersurface of the inferior oblique. At this time it
can be determined whether the entire inferior oblique
has been engaged. A clearly defined border of the
inferior oblique with white Tenon's capsule below
A B
C D
Figure 4
A Hemostats are placed with a 5-8 mm segment of muscle
between.
B After the segment of muscle has been cut out with scis-
sors or a scalpel, the cut ends are cauterized.
C The inferior oblique is allowed to retract or the inferior
oblique may be nudged into the hole in Tenons.
Surgery of the obliques
indicates that the entire inferior oblique has been
engaged. At this point a vortex vein will be seen leav-
ing sclera and passing through intermusuclar mem-
brane. If the inferior oblique has been hooked incom-
pletely, a red stripe will be seen horizontally below
the hooks. This strip of muscle should be picked up
gently with two small hooks, repeating the procedure
until the entire inferior oblique muscle has been
engaged. Two hemostats placed 5 to 8 mm apart are
used to clamp the inferior oblique muscle belly. With
scissors or a scalpel blade, a 5 to 8 mm segment of the
inferior oblique muscle belly lying between the
hemostats is excised. Cautery is then applied heavily
to each cut end for hemostasis (Figure 4).
E
D The small hole in posterior Tenons capsule can be
closed with an 8-0 absorbable suture.
E Conjunctiva is closed with an 8-0 absorbable suture.
219
Chapter 9
After the hemostats are removed, the inferior
oblique muscle is allowed to retract and the conjunc-
tival incision is closed with either interrupted or run-
ning sutures, or this incision may be left unsutured,
depending on the surgeon's preference. If the proxi-
mal cut end of the inferior oblique fails to retract into
the space outside posterior Tenon's capsule, it can be
nudged into the space with the tip of a muscle hook
or forceps. As the inferior oblique retracts into the
defect in Tenon's capsule and approaches the lateral
border of the inferior rectus, a small slit in posterior
Tenon's capsule can be seen. This slit can be closed
with one or two 8-0 Vicryl sutures.
A common complication of inferior
oblique weakening and how to avoid
it
As is the case with any of the extraocular mus-
cles, the function of the inferior oblique depends on
its having some tissue connecting the origin and
insertion. Contraction of the muscle causes these two
points to be brought closer together. The muscle's
effect is manifested through movement of the globe
toward the fixed point or origin of the muscle.
If in the process of performing a myectomy or
any weakening procedure of the inferior oblique mus-
cle the clamps or recession sutures exclude a portion
of the muscle, a band of uninterrupted muscle tissue
with associated intermuscular membrane remains
connecting origin and insertion. A portion of the infe-
rior oblique coursing uninterrupted between origin
and insertion acts somewhat like a tendon. Inferior
oblique weakening would then be less than expected.
This complication which causes undercorrec-
tions can be avoided. Careful inspection of the pos-
terior aspect of the inferior oblique muscle reveals
any remaining bands. These bands are engaged on
muscle hooks and a myectomy is repeated on this
smaller segment of the inferior oblique muscle. For
an inferior oblique myectomy to be effective, a seg-
ment of inferior oblique that includes its entire width
must be removed. A partial myotomy of the inferior
oblique in my experience is ineffective. When disin-
sertion of the inferior oblique is chosen for weaken-
ing this muscle, care must be taken to sever the entire
insertion. Some surgeons perform marginal myoto-
my of the inferior oblique and claim good results. I do
not recommend this procedure.
220
Alternative weakening procedures of
the inferior oblique: recession and
disinsertion
Two other techniques for weakening an over-
acting inferior oblique are recession and disinsertion.
Recession of the inferior oblique can be graded and is
especially useful in cases where a minimal amount of
weakening is required. Because the new inferior
oblique insertion is placed at a specific point on the
globe after recession, finding the inferior oblique at a
subsequent operation is easier to accomplish than
after myectomy or disinsertion.
The incision, localization, and exposure for
recession or disinsertion of the inferior oblique mus-
cle are the same as described previously for a myec-
tomy. Recession of the inferior oblique muscle is
begun by placing either two single-arm sutures or a
single double-arm suture through the inferior oblique
muscle near the lower border of the lateral rectus.
(Figure 5). The suture is therefore placed approxi-
mately a millimeter from the muscle's broad inser-
tion. To ensure inclusion of all of the muscle fibers at
this point, careful inspection of the posterior border of
the inferior oblique insertion should be carried out.
The surgeon must detach the entire width of the infe-
rior oblique muscle, freeing the muscle completely
from the sclera for the recession to be effective.
The inferior oblique is reattached to the sclera
at a point that depends on the amount of recession
intended. Fink described an instrument for locating
the point of reinsertion (see page 12), but recession is
now usually accomplished by reattaching the inferior
oblique in relation to existing landmarks. For exam-
ple, Parks reattached the anterior corner of the inferi-
or oblique 2 mm lateral and 3 mm posterior to the lat-
eral border of the inferior rectus insertion. The poste-
rior scleral reattachment is placed according to the
width of the inferior oblique muscle. Other tech-
niques reinsert the inferior oblique slightly more pos-
teriorly. Regardless of the intended amount of reces-
sion, when the line of pull of the inferior oblique is
maintained the new effective insertion is at the later-
al border of the inferior rectus. Changing the line of
pull of the inferior oblique, as in anterior transposi-
tion, both weakens the pull of the inferior oblique
and tethers or mechanically limits elevation.
Another technique for weakening the inferior
oblique is disinsertion. In this procedure, after iden-
tifying and hooking the inferior oblique in the usual
manner, the insertion of the inferior oblique is
exposed while the lateral rectus is elevated on two
muscle hooks. The inferior oblique is detached from
the sclera. The muscle is allowed to retract and the
incision is closed (Figure 6).
 Surgery of the obliques

A B

Figure 5
A For recession, after exposing the inferior oblique, the lat-
eral rectus is lifted and one or two sutures are placed in
the inferior oblique one or two millimeters from the inser-
tion.
B The muscle is cut from the globe.
C The muscle is reattached along the line of pull approxi-
mately 6 to 8 mm from the insertion.

A B

Figure 6
A For disinsertion, after exposing the inferior oblique in the B The inferior oblique is cut at its insertion and is allowed
usual way, the lateral rectus is elevated on two hooks to retract.
exposing the inferior oblique insertion.

221
Chapter 9

Extirpation of the inferior oblique

Gonzales described an alternative technique
for weakening the inferior oblique that involved sev-
ering the nerve, a heavy structure that enters the infe-
rior oblique at its posterior border as it crosses the
inferior rectus. This nerve was cut and cauterized, but
it grew back with time and inferior oblique function A
returned. Realizing this, he took the next step and
removed as much of the distal inferior oblique as pos-
sible resulting in what was called denervation and
extirpation. The procedure was designed to treat and
or prevent persistent overaction of the inferior
oblique.
It did not gain widespread popularity. A possi-
ble reason is that other surgeons may not have had the
same experience with persistent overaction of the
inferior oblique after weakening. Parks redescribed
extirpation of the inferior oblique in a manner nearly
identical to that of Gonzales. It has been suggested
that what some surgeons diagnose as persistent over-
action of the inferior oblique actually may be unrec-
ognized dissociated vertical deviation. B
Extirpation of the inferior oblique which is
really removal of the distal muscle and nerve seems
unnecessarily ambitious when a simple procedure
produces excellent results. Stager has added myecto-
my of the nasal portion of the inferior oblique to ante-
rior transposition to weaken the inferior oblique while
retaining depressor effect to treat dissociated vertical
deviation.

Suture traction for exposure

For any procedure on the inferior oblique
including extirpation, measured recession, or anterior
transposition, exposure can be obtained using a heavy
traction 4-0 or 5-0 silk suture under the lateral rectus
insertion. It is placed behind the insertion of the lat-
eral rectus with the heavy needle brought through the
incision, behind insertion, and then through Tenon's
capsule and the conjunctiva above (Figure 7).
To gain better exposure of the inferior oblique
at the insertion, two large hooks spread the insertion,
traction is placed on the black silk traction suture, and
a spatula is used to indent sclera enabling placement
of a small hook which will engage the inferior
oblique. The inferior oblique muscle is dissected and
pulled out of the incision (Figure 8). The insertion of
the inferior oblique muscle is exposed and a hemostat
is placed across the muscle. At this point the inferior
oblique is detached flush with sclera. If recession or
anterior transposition is performed, a suture (6-0
Vicryl) is placed and the procedure is carried out as
described. If extirpation and denervation is the
choice, the inferior oblique and its nerve are cut. The
nerve retracts and the muscle is removed. The defect
in Tenon's capsule may be closed with one or two fine
absorbable sutures.
Figure 7
A After incision through the layers overlying sclera, a 4-0
black silk suture is placed behind the lateral rectus.
B Two hooks lift the inferior oblique, a spatula indents scle-
ra, and a small hook slides behind the inferior oblique.
Anterior transposition of the inferior
oblique
Anterior transposition of the inferior oblique
was described by Elliott and Nankin. The effect of
this procedure is, first, to weaken the inferior oblique
eliminating so-called overaction that causes strabis-
mus surso adductorus (elevation in adduction) and
V pattern; and, second, to restrict the supraduction
from dissociated vertical deviation. This surgery
shifts the new insertion of the inferior oblique adja-
cent and just anterior to the ipsilateral inferior rectus
insertion. The most likely reason for the reduction of
the dissociated vertical deviation after anterior trans-
position of the inferior oblique is the mechanical or
tethering effect of the newly placed inferior oblique
insertion mediated by the stout nerve to the inferior

222
 Surgery of the obliques

A B

C D

Figure 8
A The insertion is exposed. C The muscle is detached and from here disinsertion,
B The muscle is clamped near the insertion. recession, myectomy or anterior transposition can be done.
D conjunctiva is closed.

oblique. It is unlikely, in my opinion, that the inferi-
or oblique is actually converted to a depressor.
The indication for anterior transposition of the
inferior oblique is overaction of the inferior obliques
causing excess elevation in adduction and a V pat-
tern plus dissociated vertical deviation. This proce-
dure should not ordinarily be performed on just one
eye because of the possibility of producing a large
secondary deviation. I have done it in one patient, but
soon after this procedure did it in the other eye.
To perform anterior transposition, the inferior
oblique muscle is isolated and a 6-0 Vicryl suture is
placed at the distal end of the inferior oblique (Figure
9). A large hook is then placed to expose the sclera
just temporal and anterior to the inferior rectus inser-
tion. The tip of the inferior oblique is sutured to scle-
ra 1 or 2 mm anterior to the lateral border of the infe-
rior rectus insertion, immediately adjacent to the infe-
rior rectus.* The new inferior oblique insertion
should be just anterior but parallel to the inferior rec-
tus insertion. The conjunctiva may be closed with
one or two 8-0 Vicryl sutures. A mound of inferior
oblique muscle, obvious just behind the limbus
immediately after surgery, subsides in a few weeks
and does not present a problem. But, fullness of the
lower lid persists in some cases.

*Surgeons differ in their choice for positioning the new insertion of the inferior oblique, placing it even with the inferior rectus or a mil-
limeter behind.

223
Chapter 9

A B

D
C

Figure 9
A A suture is placed at the distal inferior oblique and the
muscle is detached.
B A hook is placed behind the inferior rectus insertion...
C ...and the inferior oblique is secured to sclera.
D The level of attachment of the inferior oblique can vary
from a few millimeters ahead of to a few millimeters
behind the level of the inferior rectus insertion.
E The conjunctiva is closed.

224

Strengthening the inferior
oblique
Inferior oblique tuck: resection and
advancement of the inferior oblique
Strengthening procedures on the inferior
oblique are the least effective types of surgery for the
vertically acting muscles and are rarely indicated.
However, the procedure is performed occasionally in
the rare case of inferior oblique palsy that is not ade-
quately treated by weakening the yoke superior rec-
tus. Two techniques for strengthening the inferior
oblique, tuck and resection with advancement, have
been described.
To tuck the inferior oblique, the muscle is first
localized and engaged in the inferior temporal quad-
rant exactly as it is done before performing a myecto-
my (Figure 10). A tuck is then made in the muscle
using a Fink tucker or a freehand technique can be
used. Nonabsorbable suture such as 5-0 Mersilene is
used to secure the tuck. When a tuck is made, no less
A B
Figure 10
A A tucker is placed.
A B
Figure 11
A Sutures are placed at the borders of the inferior oblique.
Surgery of the obliques
than 10 mm (5 mm up and 5 mm down) of the mus-
cle should be included.
For resection and advancement of the inferior
oblique, two single-arm sutures are placed at the bor-
ders of the inferior oblique muscle just below the
inferior border of the lateral rectus - approximately 5
mm from the insertion (Figure 11). The muscle is
clamped with a hemostat and is severed just distal to
the sutures. The muscle stump is cut free from the
globe at the insertion and is discarded. The inferior
oblique is reattached to the sclera at the upper border
of the lateral rectus. The anterior suture is placed 12
mm posterior to the lateral rectus insertion and the
posterior suture is placed slightly more posterior.
This produces approximately 10 mm or slightly more
resection effect.
B The loop is 5 mm on each side of the tucker (10 mm
total). It is secured with 5-0 non-absorbable suture.
B The inferior oblique is detached and reattached at the
upper border of the lateral rectus.
225
Chapter 9

Weakening procedures of the superior

oblique/tenotomy
The superior oblique is effectively weakened
by a tenectomy, tenotomy, or recession. For best
results, these procedures should be performed with A
minimal disruption of the orbital fascial layers sur-
rounding the superior oblique tendon.
The incision for exposure of the superior
oblique tendon medial to the superior rectus is begun
at the medial aspect of the superior rectus muscle
insertion and extends through the conjunctiva, anteri-
or Tenon's capsule, and intermuscular membrane 8
mm from and concentric with the limbus (Figure 12).
When bare sclera is exposed, moderate-sized muscle
hooks are placed behind the insertion of the superior
rectus and the medial rectus and a third muscle hook
is placed beneath the posterior free edge of the inci-
sion to retract the intermuscular membrane, anterior
Tenon's capsule, and conjunctiva. These three muscle
hooks are held under slight tension to produce an
incision the shape of an equilateral triangle. The sur- B
geon then observes the undersurface of posterior
Tenon's capsule. A whitish band will be seen; this is
the superior oblique tendon encased in orbital fascia.
The width of the superior oblique tendon here is
approximately 3 mm. A small right angle hook is
placed into the incision to engage the superior oblique
tendon with a minimum of associated fascia. The tip
of the hook is dissected free with scissors or a scalpel
blade so that it projects cleanly behind the posterior
aspect of the superior oblique tendon (Figure 13).
A second hook is placed beneath the superior
oblique tendon. The anterior aspect of the associated
fascia is dissected from the tendon along the long axis
of the tendon. A third hook is placed beneath the ten-
don but remains superficial to the associated fascia.
Another teaser hook engages only the tendon and the
two hooks beneath the combined tendon and fascia
are removed. Scissors are used to cut the superior C
oblique tendon.
Before cutting the superior oblique tendon, the
surgeon must decide on the degree of weakening
intended. A tenotomy adjacent to the medial border
of the superior rectus muscle, closer to the insertion,
results in less weakening. A tenotomy carried out
closer to the trochlea produces more weakening.
Grading of a superior oblique weakening procedure is
achieved in this manner rather than by varying the
size of a tenectomy. The actual degree of weakening
in a superior oblique tenectomy is governed by the Figure 12
A Site of the incision for exposing the superior oblique
proximity of the nasal end of the tenectomy to the nasal to the superior rectus in the left eye.
trochlea rather than by the size of the segment of ten- B Hooks are placed behind the superior and medial recti
don removed. Therefore, a tenotomy is sufficient. and elevating intermuscular membrane. The white band
With the tenotomy completed, the tendon retracts. of the superior oblique tendon is imbedded in the fascia
seen through intermuscular membrane.
The incision is closed with one or more absorbable C A small hook picks up the superior oblique tendon. The
sutures. tip of the teaser hook is covered by orbital fascia.

226
 Surgery of the obliques

A B

More
C D weakening

Less
weakening

F
E

Figure 13
A The tip of the hook behind the tendon and fascia is D The location of the cut influences the amount of weaken-
exposed with a scissors or scalpel blade ing.
B The fascia is carefully separated from the tendon fibers E The tendon retracts.
and a hook is placed behind the isolated tendon. F The conjunctiva is closed.
C A second hook is placed behind the tendon and the ten-
don is cut.

227
Chapter 9

Superior oblique tenotomy after a

temporal approach
An alternate method for performing tenotomy rior muscle capsule beneath the superior rectus mus-
of the superior oblique uses exposure of the superior cle. Because the superior oblique tendon is fanned
oblique tendon at its insertion. The superior oblique out at its insertion some fibers may be missed if the
tendon insertion is usually found only after careful only attempt to engage the tendon is made at the
study of the scleral surface reveals the delicate tendon insertion. Careful observation and dissection beneath
fibers as they blend into sclera. A fine hook rubbed the superior rectus will allow complete inclusion of
over the scleral surface can aid in identifying these the more compact superior oblique tendon beneath
fibers. They are located approximately 6 to 12 mm the superior rectus muscle.
posterior to the lateral corner of the superior rectus The superior oblique tendon can be brought
insertion, almost parallel to the lateral border of the temporally while the superior rectus muscle is pulled
superior rectus, approximately at the lateral margin of nasally so that the doubled-over tendon is exposed up
the muscle. to 20 or more mm from the insertion. The tenotomy
For minimal weakening procedures, especially may now be carried out. The principle of obtaining
to reduce a small A pattern bilateral disinsertion of more effect from tenotomies closer to the trochlea and
the posterior seven-eighths of the superior oblique less effect from tenotomies farther from the trochlea
insertion can be effective. Preito-Diaz recommends remains valid using the superior oblique exposure
removing a triangle of superior oblique insertion with from the temporal approach. Because up to 20+ mm
the apex pointing toward the trochlea. This procedure of the superior oblique tendon can be exposed tempo-
may also be used in selected cases of Brown's syn- ral to the superior rectus, measuring or estimating the
drome, provided this minimal procedure allows free, distance from the insertion to the point of tenectomy
unrestricted passive elevation in adduction confirmed actually gives a more reliable measure of the tenoto-
at surgery. my. Because the superior oblique tendon will not
To carry out surgery on the superior oblique at stretch, the surgeon should be able to perform a repro-
the insertion, the superior rectus tendon is engaged ducible tenotomy using a temporal approach.
from its temporal side with a large muscle hook. A
second muscle hook elevates the superior rectus mus-
cle approximately 5 to 8 mm posterior to its insertion
and a third muscle hook retracts the conjunctiva and
anterior Tenon's capsule and intermuscular membrane
laterally and backward (Figure 14). The insertion of
the superior oblique tendon is searched for carefully.
At this point a minimum of manipulation should be
carried out. Careful blotting with a cotton-tipped
applicator and slight manipulations of the globe will
reveal the insertional fibers of the superior oblique
tendon fusing with the sclera approximately at right A
angles to the superior oblique insertion.
Anterior fibers of the superior oblique insertion
are engaged with a small muscle hook. Hooking at
least part of the superior oblique tendon allows the
tendon to be pulled temporally while the superior rec-
tus is pulled nasally, exposing the thin cord-like prox-
imal portion of the superior oblique tendon that can
be engaged with a small hook. The first hook is
removed after a second hook has been placed behind
the proximal portion of the superior oblique tendon.
A larger muscle hook replaces the two small Figure 14
hooks and is then used to engage the superior oblique A The three hooks create a triangular incision exposing the
tendon and bring it temporally. At this point scissors site of the superior oblique insertion.
can be used to dissect the superior oblique tendon free continued.
from the intermuscular membrane fibers and the infe-

228
 Surgery of the obliques

B C

D E

F G

Figure 14, contd

B The tendon (or at least the anterior part of it) is hooked. F The tendon is cut.
C A second hook engages the round tendon proximally. G The farther the tenectomy from the insertion (closer to
D Another hook is placed under the tendon. the trochlea), the greater the weakening.
E After a larger hook replaces the two smaller ones, the
tendon is pulled temporally while the superior rectus is
pulled nasally.

229
Chapter 9

7/8 tenotomy/disinsertion
After exposing the insertion of the superior from its insertion, and a surgeon's knot is tied. This is
oblique tendon, scissors are used to disinsert the ten- to ensure that the suture is placed in solid tendon. The
don or to carry out a 7/8 posterior tenotomy of the tendon is then transected between the suture and the
superior oblique tendon with excision of a triangle tendon's insertion. The tendon is allowed to retract
shape portion of the tendon at the insertion (Figure beneath the superior rectus for a distance of 8 to 20
15). mm, according to the intended amount of recession,
and the suture is tied in a hang loose fashion at the
Recession of the superior oblique tendon insertion (Figure 16).
For a more controlled, weakening of the supe-
rior oblique tendon, recession in the place of tenoto-
my can be done. Split tendon lengthening of the
superior oblique tendon nasal to the superior rectus
has been described and is performed by some sur-
geons in selected cases. It has also been performed
and abandoned by other surgeons. While this tech-
nique is theoretically possible, it is difficult to per- A
form. I see no reason to use it in place of other avail-
able superior oblique weakening procedures and for
that reason it will not be illustrated.
In preparation for recession, the superior
oblique tendon is located and engaged at its insertion
temporal to the lateral border of the superior rectus.
A double-arm 5-0 Mersilene or 6-0 Vicryl suture is
placed through the superior oblique tendon 4 mm

B
A

Figure 16
A The superior oblique tendon is exposed at the insertion
temporal to the superior rectus.
B A double arm suture is placed 4 mm from the insertion
Figure 15
and the tendon is cut free of sclera at the insertion.
Disinsertion - 7/8 tenotomy C The needles are brought through the insertion. After the
A Posterior 7/8 tenotomy tendon is allowed to retract a graded amount according
B Disinsertion to the amount of weakening needed, the suture is tied.

230

Sagittalization of the superior
oblique
Anterior shift of the superior oblique tendon
insertion has been advocated for treatment of the tor-
sional diplopia resulting from some superior oblique
palsy. Harada and Ito are given priority for describ-
ing this technique. The intorting power of the superi-
or oblique is increased by: anterior and temporal shift
of the anterior part of the insertion; anterior shift of
the entire insertion; or anterior shift of the tendon
without disinsertion. This moves the superior oblique
insertion so that it has more effect temporal to the Y
axis of the eye, thereby increasing the superior
obliques effect as an intorter.
The superior oblique tendon normally inserts
in the posterotemporal quadrant of the top of the
globe. It functions as a depressor, abductor, and
intorter. By shifting the anterior half of the tendon 5
to 8 mm anteriorly and a few millimeters temporally,
the intorting action of the superior oblique is
enhanced without affecting appreciably the other
superior oblique functions.
A B
C D
Figure 17
A The superior oblique inserts in the posterior temporal
quadrant.
B The anterior (or if you choose the entire) tendon is
engaged on a hook (right eye, surgeons view).
Surgery of the obliques
The superior oblique tendon is exposed at its
insertion and a small hook engages all or part of the
insertion. The superior rectus is retracted medially, a
6-0 Vicryl or 6-0 non-absorbable suture is tied to the
superior oblique tendon close to its insertion, the
superior oblique tendon is split, and the anterior half
of the superior oblique tendon is detached from the
globe (Figure 17). The anterior half of the superior
oblique tendon is sutured to the sclera 5 to 8 mm ante-
riorly near the temporal aspect of the superior rectus
or it may be placed near the superior border of the lat-
eral rectus for more effect. The anterior superior
oblique fibers are probably more effective intorters
and the posterior superior oblique fibers are more
effective depressors. A specific and selective weak-
ening of depression effect can be obtained, at least
theoretically, by performing a disinsertion of the pos-
terior fibers of the superior oblique tendon's insertion.
Wheeler suggested this procedure in 1935. Metz sug-
gested an adjustable anterior shift and advancement
of the superior oblique tendon.
C A double arm suture is placed into the tendon (right eye,
surgeons view).
D The tendon is secured to sclera
231
Chapter 9

Brown's superior oblique tendon

sheath syndrome
Brown's superior oblique tendon sheath syn-
drome or simply Brown syndrome (eliminating the A
reference to etiology) is characterized by inability on
a mechanical basis of the eye to elevate normally in
the adducted position. It is usually unilateral and spo-
radic but it may occur in one or both eyes and has
been seen in blood relatives. This condition is also
associated with widening of the palpebral fissure on
attempted elevation and occasionally there is down-
shoot of the eye in adduction. The diagnosis is con-
firmed only after demonstration of limited forced ele-
vation, especially in adduction. This is done at the
time of surgery since most patients treated surgically
for Brown are younger. Brown syndrome may be
congenital or acquired and results from a variety of
causes, but the net result is an inability of the superi-
or oblique tendon to pass freely in its normal range of
motion (16 mm, or 8 mm toward upgaze and 8 mm in
downgaze) through the trochlea - the upgaze motion B
being necessary to allow the eye to elevate in adduc-
tion. Unless the superior oblique tendon can pass
freely through the trochlea, the distance between the
trochlea and the insertion cannot increase and the eye
cannot be elevated in adduction.
The surgical treatment of Brown syndrome can
be one of the more frustrating of the extraocular mus-
cle procedures because surgical attempts designed to
reduce the mechanical restriction are often nullified
by postoperative adhesion formation. On the other
hand, when successful, surgery can result in underac-
tion of the muscle. In rare instances the adhesions
that limit elevation in adduction may be associated
with structures other than the superior oblique.
Brown syndrome has been cured by releasing restric-
tions associated with the inferior oblique and also by
lysing a fibrous band along the inferior border of the C
lateral rectus.
As a minimal superior oblique weakening pro-
cedure to treat Brown syndrome, posterior 7/8 superi-
or oblique fiber disinsertion may be performed with
or without removal of a piece of the tendon. I have
treated intermittent Brown syndrome successfully by
excising a clear fluid cyst of the reflected tendon of
the superior oblique near the trochlea, removal of a
fibrous mass at the insertion, tenectomy, and with a
spacer.
Since Brown syndrome represents a wide array
of pathology, no single superior oblique weakening
procedure could be expected to cure or significantly
Figure 18
improve all cases. Actually, some Brown cases could A Intratrochlear adhesions.
not and indeed should not be treated with superior B Tendon shortness - restriction
oblique weakening. An array of potential causes of C Restriction at entry of tendon to trochlea.
Brown are shown (Figure 18). Each of these causes From Helveston EM. Brown syndrome: anatomic considera-
of Brown has a unique personality and requires tions and pathophysiology. American Orthoptic Journal,
unique treatment. 1993, 43:31-35. Reprinted by permission of the University
of Wisconsin Press.

232

D tively address the unique pathology and after treat-
E will impede free movement of the tendon through the
F oblique palsy. There is no sure treatment. Superior
Figure 18, contd
D Inflammation, swelling restriction in trochlea.
E Cyst at exit of trochlea.
F Trauma to trochlea - canine tooth.
From Helveston EM. Brown syndrome: anatomic considera-
tions and pathophysiology. American Orthoptic Journal,
1993, 43:31-35. Reprinted by permission of the University
of Wisconsin Press.
Surgery of the obliques
Directed treatment of Brown
syndrome
Brown syndrome should be treated with the
specific technique that would be most likely to effec-
ment to enable free elevation in adduction. The
important thing for the surgeon to realize is that sim-
ply cutting or lengthening the superior oblique tendon
is not always the answer to Brown syndrome.
Intratrochlear adhesions will impede free pas-
sage of the superior oblique tendon and therefore
restrict elevation in adduction. This is a diagnosis of
exclusion. Weakening of the superior oblique tendon
would be the most appropriate treatment. Superior
oblique palsy is a likely result of freeing elevation in
adduction in a case like this.
Tendon anomaly. This can be a short tendon,
fibrosis of the tendon, or another discrete tendon
abnormality. This is treated by surgery aimed at
undoing the abnormality. This could range from
cutting a fibrous band to cutting the tendon.
Restriction to the tendon entry to the trochlea
trochlea. This is another diagnosis of exclusion. The
eye will not go up in adduction even with forced duc-
tions, but the tendon is normal. Lengthening of the
tendon is the treatment. This is another case where
superior oblique underaction will result after eleva-
tion in adduction is restored.
Inflammation of the trochlea. This is best
treated by the injection of soluble steroid into the
region of the trochlea.
Cyst of the tendon can be treated effectively
with excision of the cyst.
Trochlear trauma (canine tooth syndrome) is
characterized by mechanical limitation of elevation in
adduction and limitation of depression from superior
oblique tenectomy can free elevation in adduction,
leaving superior oblique palsy to be treated.
Because those causes of Brown that require
surgery on the tendon need such varied procedures I
prefer a surgical approach that allows a clear look at
the entire reflected tendon of the superior oblique.
This starts with the cuffed limbal incision and contin-
ues with tagging and detachment of the superior rec-
tus (Figure 19 and see page 176). With this exposure,
the required surgery can be done under direct vision.
Operating with limited exposure and/or simply cut-
ting or otherwise lengthening the superior oblique
tendon for all cases of Brown syndrome will produce
disappointing results in selected cases. To make this
surgery even more frustrating, forced duction can be
free at surgery only to become restricted again in days
or weeks after surgery.
233
Chapter 9

B
Figure 19
Exposure of the superior oblique from the trochlear cuff to
the insertion after a cuffed limbal incision and tagging and
disinsertion of the superior rectus.

Superior oblique tendon expander

A technique for weakening the superior
oblique tendon using a silicone expander has been
described by Wright. The length of the expander
varies from 4 to 7 mm in 1 mm increments. A 4 mm
expander is used for 1+ and the 7 mm for 4+ superior C
oblique overaction. This technique has been
employed for any type of superior oblique overaction
including Brown syndrome.
The superior oblique tendon is isolated under
direct vision nasal to the superior rectus. The superi-
or oblique tendon is shelled out of the orbital fascia
which is carefully preserved as shown in Figure 13.
Two double-arm 5-0 Mersilene sutures are placed at
mid tendon a few millimeters apart. The superior
D
oblique tendon is cut between these sutures. A No.
240 silicone band is secured with the needles of both
double-arm 5-0 Mersilene sutures. The Mersilene
sutures are tied to secure the silicone expander
between the cut ends of the superior oblique tendon.
This lengthens the tendon. The orbital fascia is
closed over the silicone with 8-0 Vicryl suture.

The chicken suture Figure 20

A procedure for doing a more or less guarded
superior oblique lengthening employs a suture
dubbed by Phil Knapp the chicken suture. This is in
effect creating controlled tendon expansion with a
suture and muscle contraction in place of the silicone
spacer (Figure 20).
A The superior oblique tendon is isolated and two double
arm merseline sutures are placed a few millimeters
apart.
B The sutures are placed in the ends of a #240 silicone
band.
C The band is secured in place. After this, fascia is closed
with a 8-0 absorbable sutures.
D The so-called chicken suture keeps the tendon length-
ening at a specified maximum.

234

Strengthening the superior
oblique
Superior oblique tuck at the insertion
An effective and safe technique for strengthen-
ing the superior oblique is a tuck of the tendon at its
insertion. This procedure maintains the normal action
of the superior oblique muscle and reduces the inci-
dence, severity, and persistence of postoperative
Brown syndrome if appropriate precautions are taken.
Tuck of the superior oblique tendon should be per-
formed only if a loose, lax, or redundant tendon is
confirmed, first at the superior oblique traction test
and then by direct observation. A loose tendon is seen
in congenital superior oblique palsy, but usually not
in acquired superior oblique palsy. After the tuck has
been secured, passive ductions should be performed
testing elevation in adduction. If the superior oblique
traction test is too tight when comparing it to the fel-
low eye, the suture securing the tuck should be
released and the size of the tuck reduced. The tuck
should be secured only when passive elevation in
adduction is equal or slightly tighter on the tucked
side. The size of the tuck depends entirely on the lax-
ity of the tendon. I once made a 22 mm tuck on a lax
tendon without producing Brown syndrome in a con-
genital superior oblique palsy. On the other hand, I
have produced severe Brown syndrome after a 6 mm
tuck in a case of acquired superior oblique palsy, per-
formed before I became aware of the pitfalls of iatro-
genic Brown syndrome after tucking a normal (nonre-
dundant) tendon.
The incision for exposure of the superior
oblique tendon at its insertion is begun at the lateral
border of the superior rectus insertion and extends
temporally for 8 mm parallel with the limbus. The
initial incision is carried through the conjunctiva,
anterior Tenon's capsule, and intermuscular mem-
brane. A muscle hook is inserted behind the insertion
of the superior rectus muscle and a second hook
retracts the posterior border of the incision at the lat-
eral border of the superior rectus muscle. This
maneuver exposes the insertional fibers of the superi-
or oblique tendon. A muscle hook is inserted behind
the insertion of the superior oblique tendon and the
tendon is brought out from beneath the superior rec-
Surgery of the obliques
tus (see page 229). If a tendon tucker is used, the
hook is replaced with the hook portion of a Bishop or
equivalent tendon tucker.
The knurled knob at the head of the tendon
tucker is screwed down until the slack has been taken
out of the superior oblique tendon. The total amount
of tendon tucked is twice the amount shown on the
tucking instrument because the tendon is doubled on
itself during the tucking procedure. It is impossible to
give a number in millimeters for the correct amount
of superior oblique tucking in a given case. However,
it is safe to say that more errors are committed by
doing too large than too small a tuck. In general, the
more vertical deviation to be treated and the more lax
the superior oblique tendon the greater the tuck
required. When a sufficient amount of superior
oblique tendon has been brought into the tucker to
take out the slack in the tendon, Nonabsorbable suture
(my choice is 5-0 Mersilene) is then used to anchor
the tuck of the superior oblique tendon. A loop may
be left in the knot securing the tendon at the base of
the tuck to facilitate suture release and replacement if
needed. Passive ductions are then performed. The
tuck is reduced if passive elevation in adduction is
limited. The tuck is made larger if the tendon remains
lax on superior oblique traction testing.
Each border of the tendon is secured when the
tuck is just right, the tucker is removed and the tuck
remains intact. A third suture is placed at the apex of
the tucked tendon, and this tip is attached to the scle-
ra in line with the normal pull of the superior oblique
tendon. The needle should be placed into very super-
ficial scleral fibers because the sclera can be extreme-
ly thin in this area. The conjunctiva is closed with
several interrupted sutures.
A tuck of the superior oblique tendon can also
be carried out with a free hand technique. With this
technique, the surgeon simply pulls the redundant
tendon up with a hook and places the sutures through
the superior oblique tendon at the level of sclera, pro-
ducing the intended amount of tuck (Figure 21). This
is my preferred technique.
235
Chapter 9

A B

C D

E F

Figure 21
A Incision for exposure of the superior oblique tendon at
the insertion.
B Exposing the superior oblique insertion.
C The superior oblique insertion is engaged on a hook.
D The hook of the tucker engages the tendon.
E The tucker is adjusted pulling the loop of the tendon up
until the intended amount of tuck is achieved and a
suture secure the tuck at the borders of the tendon. The
intended amount of insertion is determined after confir-
mation that the superior oblique traction test is equal or
slightly tighter on the operated side.
F A second suture secures the tuck and the tip of the loop
is sutured to sclera.

236

G H
I
Superior oblique resection and
advancement
Other techniques for strengthening or shorten-
ing the superior oblique tendon are resection,
advancement, or resection and advancement. For
superior oblique resection, I prefer to attach the prox-
imal tendon to the middle, posterior, or anterior inser-
tion with placement depending on the amount of pre-
operative torsion. One reason for choosing tuck over
resection for the superior oblique is that it can be dif-
ficult to place sutures in the thin superior oblique ten-
don.
The superior oblique tendon is exposed at the
insertion (Figure 22). The tendon is engaged on a
hook near its insertion and the superior rectus muscle
is retracted medially. A 6-0 Vicryl or 5-0 merseline
suture is woven through the tendon 6 to 10 mm or
more from the insertion. The distance may be greater
with a very loose tendon and less for a tendon that is
not so loose. A hemostat is placed across the tendon
toward the insertion a few millimeters from the suture
and the tendon is cut between the hemostat and
Surgery of the obliques
Figure 21, contd
G conjunctiva is closed.
H A free hand tuck can be done after pulling up the lax ten-
don. A 5-0 merseline suture joins the arms of the loop
near the base.
I When performing a tuck with either technique, a loop
should be left in the initial knot so that it can be undone
easily in the event that the tuck must be adjusted
because it is too loose or too tight. When the tuck is the
correct amount, the knot is tied and a second suture may
be added.
suture. The hemostat holds the distal superior oblique
tendon, stabilizing the insertion. The double-arm
Vicryl suture attached to the proximal tendon is
brought through the insertion at the middle, posterior
edge, or anterior edge. The middle is selected if the
torsional and vertical defects are proportional, poste-
rior if the vertical defect is greater, and, as occurs
more commonly, anterior if extorsion is the main pre-
operative problem. The tendon can be advanced
(attached farther temporally) or shifted anteriorly if
more torsional effect is needed. Also, any of these
procedures can be performed with an adjustable
suture. Anteriorly placed sutures are more readily
adjusted than posteriorly placed sutures.
As with any procedure to strengthen the supe-
rior oblique, passive ductions should be tested and the
tightness of the tuck adjusted to a point where the two
sides are equal or the treated side just slightly tighter.
237
Chapter 9

A B

C D

E F

Figure 22
A The superior oblique tendon. D The distal tendon is excised.
B After the loose tendon is elevated, a double arm suture E The tendon is tied securely to the insertion, after adjust-
is placed at the intended amount of resection. ment, if needed, based on superior oblique traction test-
C The tendon is cut distal to the suture and the suture is ing.
passed through the tendon insertion. F The excised tendon.
continued.

238
 Surgery of the obliques

G H

Figure 22, contd

G The tendon can be shifted anteriorly if more effect on tor- H The tendon may also be advanced.
sion is required. It may also be tied over a bolster if
adjustment is planned.

239
 10
Marginal myotomy:
technique and indications

Historical review
Before the advent of uniform, strong, fine-
gauge sutures with sharp swaged-on needles, partial
or incomplete myotomy was a commonly employed
technique for weakening an extraocular muscle. This
technique has now been superseded by measured
recession, which is the method of choice now for
weakening the rectus muscles in all but a few specif-
ic instances. It is important, however, for the strabis-
mus surgeon to understand the principle of marginal
myotomy and to be familiar with this technique for
use in special cases.
Six types of myotomy that have been
employed for reducing the effect of a rectus muscle
are shown in Figure 1. Three of the procedures (1, 3,
and 5) fail to cut all of the fibers of the muscle and
therefore would not be expected to lengthen the mus-
cle. In contrast, techniques 2, 4, and 6 interrupt all of
the muscle fibers at some point and would be expect-
ed to lengthen the muscle.

Figure 1
1 Central myotomy
2 OConnor triple cut myotomy
3 Incomplete marginal myotomy
4 Overlapping marginal myotomy
5 Multiple incomplete marginal myotomies
6 L-shaped overlapping double marginal myotomy

241
Chapter 10

Figure 2
The preparation for recording the muscle lengthening effect
of a marginal myotomy.

Quantifying the marginal

myotomy
Since, the amount of lengthening produced by
specific marginal myotomy techniques remained
unknown, we attempted to quantify the marginal
myotomy in vitro using freshly prepared rabbit eyes.
These eyes were enucleated after euthenizing the ani-
mals. Between 10 and 20 mm of rectus muscle
remained attached to the globe in the specimens used.
The preparation was mounted as shown in Figure 2
with a weight holding the muscle taut and a camera
situated above to record the lengthening effect of the
myotomies performed. A black silk suture was
placed on the distal muscle as reference to show
change in muscle length after the myotomy. The four
techniques for myotomy shown in Figure 3 were per-
formed five times each and the results were recorded
photographically. Figure 3
Typical results of the experiment are shown in The configurations of the myotomies were as follows:
Figure 4. As would be expected, those myotomy A The muscle was cut from each border 80% of the mus-
techniques that cut across all fibers were effective at cle width with cuts seperated by 30% of the muscle
width.
lengthening the muscle and those not cutting across B The muscle was cut twice at each border for 20% of the
the muscle did not lengthen the muscle significantly. width with cuts seperated by 30% of the msucle width.
This leads us to conclude that if lengthening a rectus C The muscle was cut at its center 80% of the muscle
muscle is more or less equivalent to recessing the width.
D The muscle was cut at its center 80% of the muscle
muscle as a means of weakening the muscle then width and cuts were made at each border 40% of the
only those marginal myotomy techniques that length- muscle width and separated from the central cut by 30%
en the muscle are effective. of the muscle width.

242
 Marginal myotomy

A B

C D

Figure 4
A Double 80% overlapping marginal myotomies
seperated by a distance equal to 30% of the
muscles width produced lengthening of 0.9
times the muscles preoperative width.
B Multiple, nonoverlapping marginal myotomies
produced lengthening of 0.03 times the muscles
width.
C A central 80% tenotomy produced lengthening of
0.06 times the muscles width.
D Two incomplete marginal myotomies, each
including 40% of the muscles width combined
with an 80% central tenotomy displaced from the
two previous myotomies by 30% of the muscles
width, produced lengthening of 0.5 times the
muscles width.

243
Chapter 10

Technique for a double 80%

marginal myotomy
The most useful marginal myotomy in my
experience is the double 80% configuration. To
carry out the procedure, the muscle is first engaged on
a hook, usually after a limbal incision has been per- C
formed to obtain the best exposure. The intermuscu-
lar membrane at the borders of the muscle should be
dissected only far enough to allow placement of the
distal cut. A hemostat is placed across 80% of the
muscle width just behind the insertion and a second
hemostat is placed at the opposite muscle border
across 80% of the muscle with the hemostats seperat-
ed by 30% of the muscles width. (As shown in
Figure 5, I have bent a standard hemostat so that the
jaws are at right angles to make placement of the
instrument easier.) The distal cut is made first. D
If the eye is hyperdeviated the proximal cut
should come down from above to effectively shift the
new insertion down and if the eye is hypodeviated,
just the opposite should be done. If marginal myoto-
my is to be done in a very tight rectus muscle, the
proximal cut can be made with a scalpel which cuts
against the muscle hook behind the muscles inser-
tion. This is done as a safety precaution to guard
against inadvertently cutting through sclera that is
typically thin in such cases.
E

Figure 5
A The muscle is exposed in the usual manner and two
hemostats are each placed 80% of the way across the
muscle (or tendon) from opposite borders. The hemo-
stats are plced 3 or 4 mm apart.
B The posterior hemostat is removed, and scissors are
used to cut across the muscle in the crushed area. By
cutting the muscle in the crushed area, bleeding is kept
to a minimum.
C The hemostat nearer the insertion is removed, and the
B muscle is cut along the crushed area using small snips
with scissors.
D Noticeable lengthening of the muscle will occur. Any
bleeding is controlled with pressure.
E After the distal myotomy has been performed, in a very
tight muscle, a No. 15 Bard Parker blade can be used to
divide the tendon fibers, cutting against the muscle hook.
This can be accomplished with a scraping motion with
the knife blade at nearly right angles to avoid scleral per-
foration.

244
 Marginal myotomy

Indications for a marginal

myotomy
Four reasons for doing a marginal myotomy for
the treatment of strabismus include the following:
1. To further weaken a previously operated rectus
muscle that has already been recessed to what
is considered the maximum amount.
2. When combined with a recession to obtain a
double weakening effect while retaining a
physiologic arc of contact.
3. To weaken a rectus muscle that has at or near
its insertion an implant, exoplant, or encircling
element used in retinal detachment repair or
for glaucoma filtration.
4. To weaken a rectus muscle in a patient who has
excessively thin sclera (but a hang loose
recession would probably be better).

Figure 6
A Marginal myotomy performed on an already recessed lateral rectus muscle provides muscle
lengthening without sacrificing the arc of contact.

245
Chapter 10

Figure 6, contd
B Left hypotropia has occurred after placement of an exoplant and encircling band near the
inferior rectus insertion of the left eye. It has been treated with a double 80% marginal
myotomy of the left inferior rectus.

Other considerations
The concept that myotomy is effective only if
the muscle is effectively lengthened is being chal-
lenged. Hertle and associates have demonstrated a
damping effect on nystagmus after detaching and
reattaching the four rectus muscles.
Alan Scott described graded rectus muscle
tenotomy (disinsertion) for treatment of small angle
vertical strabismus. He made successive small cuts
until the desired results were achieved. Biglan per-
formed a 60% disinsertion of the superior rectus mus-
cle, mostly from the temporal border, in 24 patients
with vertical tropia and diplopia.* The average pre-
operative deviation was 8 prism diopters. The aver-
age correction at six weeks was 5 prism diopters.
Diplopia was relieved in 70% of patients.
I continue to believe that for myotomy to be
effective for larger angles and for the longer term,
lengthening of the muscle is required. But these
observations of expert strabismologists must be taken
seriously when considering the effectiveness of par-
tial myotomy for relieving symptoms of small angle
strabismus.

* Yim Bin Hye, Biglan A, Cronin TH. Graded partial tenotomy of the vertical rectus muscles for treatment of hypertropia. Trans Amer
Ophthalmol Soc, Vol 102, 2004, pp. 169-176.

246

Faden operation
(posterior fixation suture)
Posterior fixation suture
(retroequatorial myopexy,
faden operation)
The modern posterior fixation suture (PFS)
was described by Cppers in Germany. It was done
initially in the United States in 1975 after being intro-
duced by Mhlendyck. The procedure has been pop-
ularly called the faden operation. Faden in German
means suture or string. However, more descriptive
names, posterior fixation suture or retroequatorial
myopexy more appropriately describe the procedure.
The aim of the posterior fixation suture is to
shift the effective insertion of a rectus muscle poste-
riorly employing a principle that was described first
by Peters more than forty years before. This posteri-
or shift of the muscles insertion theoretically reduces
the effect of the muscle only in its field of action. The
posterior fixation itself is designed to have little if any
effect in the primary position. However, if the mus-
cle posterior to the suture is on a stretch while the
suture is placed, redundant muscle between the origin
and the fixation suture may effect the muscles action
in primary position. This may be the reason for
reports saying that PFS done on the medial recti are
effective in reducing an esodeviation (Figure 1).
The PFS has no effect on the initiation of eye
movement or on the behavior of eye movement in the
field opposite the muscle having the PFS. The prin-
cipal effects of the PFS are to somewhat limit the
movement of the eye in the field of action of the mus-
cle treated and to cause increased innervation to this
muscle and its yoke by Herings law as the eye
attempts to move in the field of muscle with the PFS.
At the outset, the indication for the PFS was to
treat the nystagmus blockage syndrome. This condi-
tion has been said to be characterized by: (1) mani-
fest nystagmus damped by convergence, (2) variable
angle esotropia, (3) pseudoparalysis of both lateral
11
rectus muscles with nystagmus on attempted abduc-
tion, and (4) preference for fixation in adduction
while the head turns in the opposite direction, with or
without occlusion of the opposite eye, or for fixation
with asymmetric convergence while the head remains
straight. Most of these characteristics are shared by
the Ciancia syndrome patients as a manifestation of
congenital esotropia.
The posterior fixation suture has also been
used on the superior rectus muscles to treat dissociat-
ed vertical deviation done with or without recession
of the superior rectus. However, this procedure did
not seem to have sufficient power and has been
replaced by large recession of the superior recti, and
in selected cases anterior transposition of the inferior
obliques and, in persistent cases, inferior rectus resec-
tion.
Another indication for the PFS, and in my
opinion the very best and most useful, is to weaken
the sound yoke of an underacting muscle in order to
create a secondary deviation which both boosts the
action of the weak muscle and slightly limits the
action of the sound muscle. This is what I call a laud-
able secondary deviation. Here is an example: A
patient has a weak left lateral rectus muscle with lim-
ited abduction of the left eye and diplopia in levover-
sion beginning just a few degrees beyond the midline.
With a posterior fixation suture placed on the right
medial rectus two things happen. First, the right
medial rectus works harder to move toward levover-
sion and therefore sends more innervation to the left
lateral rectus by Herrings law (a secondary devia-
tion). Second, the right eye cannot go as far in levo-
version because of the PFS and therefore is less like-
ly to exceed the excursion of the left eye in usual
247
Chapter 11
A B
C
Figure 1
A The eye is shown from above the medial rectus on top.
B With the eye in abduction, the medial rectus is stretched.
C The posterior fixation suture is placed with the medial
rectus on the stretch.
visual activity thereby reducing the likelihood of
diplopia (Figure 2).
Although not treating yoke muscles, a PFS
may be placed on the normally acting inferior rectus
in case of weakness of the other inferior rectus. In
this example, there is no secondary deviation effect,
only the pure limitation of movement or
pseudoparalysis of the sound muscle treated with
the PFS. This would result in the two eyes being
more nearly matched in down gaze thereby avoiding
or at least reducing diplopia. Because far up gaze is
248
D
D As the eye moves back to the primary position, the medi-
al rectus behind the suture is loose or redundant. This
would theoretically weaken the effect of the medial rectus
in the primary and thereby reduce the esodeviation.
less important than down gaze including the reading
position (except in certain exceptions) this procedure
is less likely to be indicated for the superior rectus
(Figure 3).
I have used a posterior fixation on the four hor-
izontal rectus muscles as a means of treating nystag-
mus. The few cases that I treated were not success-
ful. Recession of the four horizontal rectus muscles
has been effective for treatment of nystagmus, and
Hertle has reported success with simple disinsertion
and reinsertion of the muscles.

Figure 2
A The muscle is secured to underlying sclera at or just
behind the equator.
B The extent of rotation of the eyeball is restricted by the
suture compared to movement without the suture in
place.
Faden operation (posterior fixation suture)
C The new effective insertion creates a reduced lever arm
for the muscle. This reduced lever arm results in the
need for increased innervation for the muscle to achieve
its full (though reduced) rotation.
249
Chapter 11

OD OS

OD OS

OD OS

OD OS

Figure 3
A The eyes are aligned in the primary position.
B The right eye has deficient depression from a right
inferior rectus paresis.
C In far down gaze, the left eye moves normally, resulting
in an increasing right hypertropia and diplopia in the
reading position.
D With a posterior fixation suture placed on the normal left
inferior rectus, the movement downward in this eye is
somewhat limited making it more nearly match the right
eye. The yoke of the left inferior rectus, the right
superior oblique, a depressor of the right eye, would also
receive more innervation to down gaze.

250
 Faden operation (posterior fixation suture)
A To be effective, it has been said that the poste-
B
Figure 4
A The rectus muscle may be tagged with sutures at the
insertion and detached. Two sutures are then placed in
sclera at or just behind the equator to secure the muscle
at the borders. Non-absorbable suture, 5-0 or 6-0 is
used.
B The posterior fixation suture sutures are tied securely.
C The muscle is reattached at the insertion.
Placement of the posterior
fixation suture after detaching
the muscle
rior fixation suture should be placed at or just behind
the equator. However, recent description of the mus-
cle pulleys has led to a concept that the PFS need not
be placed behind the equator to be effective. In either
case, the placement of the suture can be challenging
and requires good exposure (Figure 4).
Placement of the posterior
fixation suture without
detaching the muscle
A posterior fixation suture may be placed with-
out recession of the muscle in cases where no effect is
needed in the primary position. This is usually done
with placement of sutures at each muscle border
(Figure 5).
A
Figure 5
A After obtaining adequate exposure, the muscle is retract-
ed and a 5-0 or 6-0 non-absorbable suture is placed at
the muscle border at or just behind the equator. A limbal
incision is a good choice to gain best exposure. The flap
is being held with forceps. Better exposure is obtained
with a Barbie retractor.
B After placement of the sutures, the muscle looks relative-
ly undisturbed. (An optional single central suture is
shown)
251
Chapter 11

Reinforced posterior fixation Combined posterior fixation

suture and recession
The purpose of the posterior fixation suture is When recession of a rectus muscle is
to produce a firm adherence of the undersurface of the combined with placement of a posterior fixation
muscle to sclera beneath and thereby create a new suture, the recession should be carried out before the
effective insertion for the muscle. To accomplish posterior fixation suture is placed. This ensures that
this, some surgeons prefer to make several passes the recession will be effective. If this were not done,
through sclera and muscle. When multiple suture redundant rectus muscle would be distal to the
passes are employed, the suture is placed in the usual posterior fixation suture that would be the new
manner except that two or three bites are taken in effective insertion, reducing or nullifying the
sclera and after each of these bites, the suture is recession effect (Figure 7).
brought through the muscle. The potential problem
with this is that the chance of scleral perforation is
increased. This problem is accentuated by the fact
that needles usually found on 5-0 or 6-0 non-
absorbable sutures are often heavier cutting needles
that increase the likelihood of inadvertent scleral per-
foration. To avoid this, the surgeon should exercise
great care in placing the needle in sclera (Figure 6).

A Figure 7
Recession has been carried out and then the posterior fixa-
tion suture is placed. This means that the length of muscle
between the PFS and the muscle origin is longer, thereby
achieving both the recession effect and the posterior fixa-
tion suture effect.

Adjustable faden
Alan Scott has suggested a novel method for creating
a posterior fixation suture in a way that is potentially
adjustable. To do this, a double arm suture is placed
in the muscle at about the point where a posterior fix-
ation suture would be placed. The muscle distal to
this suture is then excised! This means that the mus-
cle is not shorter, it just inserts closer to the origin as
B with the posterior fixation suture. The sutures are
then brought through the muscles original insertion
and a suitable temporary knot is placed. The theory
behind this technique is that the muscle distal to the
suture placement of the posterior fixation suture is
probably irrelevant anyway (Figure 8).

Figure 6
A For a reinforced posterior fixation suture, the belly of
the muscle is elevated and two or three suture passes
go through sclera and muscle.
B After the identical suture placement is carried out on the
other border of the muscle, the sutures are tied securely.

252

A
Figure 8
A A double arm suture is placed 12 to 14 mm from the
insertion, or at the point on the muscle where the posteri-
or fixation suture would be placed.
B The muscle/tendon distal to the suture is excised.
Faden operation (posterior fixation suture)
B
C Suture ends are brought through the original insertion.
D A knot that can be released for adjustment and tied
securely later is placed.
253

Adjustable sutures:
techniques for restrictions
Overview
Adjustable sutures were used commonly in the
early years of strabismus surgery. They were used out
of necessity rather than choice. Sutures were coarse
and needles were heavy with the result that muscles
could not be attached to sclera either accurately or
safely. Sutures were anchored in conjunctiva and
Tenons with the muscle lying on but not attached to
sclera. Adjustments may not have been precise in
these patients, but were necessary to obtain the best
possible results.
When catgut sutures with swaged-on needles
became the standard for strabismus surgery,
adjustable sutures were no longer employed. These
sutures had the advantage of being absorbable and the
needles were finer making for more accurate surgery.
The disadvantage of catgut sutures was that they
broke easily making them unsuitable for the
adjustable technique. Actually a suture broke once in
almost every case during the course of surgery,
especially when an assistant was allowed to tie a knot.
During the 1960s when I started doing strabismus
surgery adjustable sutures were neither done widely
nor talked about.
Adjustable sutures were re-discovered and
popularized by Jampolsky after synthetic absorbable
sutures became available in the 1970s. This
technique is currently used widely for treatment of a
wide variety of strabismus conditions. Their use,
however, is not universal. Some surgeons use
adjustable sutures for nearly every case stating that
better results are achieved if a second chance is
available or saying that better results can be achieved
if the postoperative alignment can be determined with
the patient awake and cooperating. Other surgeons
use them either sparingly or not at all. The belief
among these surgeons is that in most (all) cases more
precise surgery can be accomplished by attaching the
12
muscle securely to sclera at a predetermined point
based on patient history, work-up, and intra-operative
findings.
I use adjustable sutures in fewer than 10% of
cases. This is actually an increase from about 3%
earlier. This increase is due to the use of the tandem
adjustable that actually requires adjustment only 25%
of the time. When adjustable sutures are used they are
limited to older children and adults with conditions
including: previous unsuccessful surgery, thyroid
myopathy, diplopia after successful cataract surgery,
strabismus after trauma, restrictive strabismus, etc.
For treatment with an adjustable suture, a muscle
should have contractile power to rotate the eye and
should be working against an antagonist muscle
capable of relaxing.
Technique for the adjustable
suture
There are several effective techniques for
placement of an adjustable suture. Regardless of the
technique used, the following principles remain
constant.
1. The muscle is secured with suture that is
sufficiently strong to withstand postoperative
manipulation.
2. The muscle is attached to the globe usually at
the muscles insertion stump in a hang loose
manner.
3. The suture anchoring the muscle is secured in
a way that it can be easily loosened and then
re-tied at the time of adjustment.
4. The suture is able to slide through the site of
attachment to the globe allowing the muscle
to slide back or be pulled forward.
255
Chapter 12

A B

C D

E
F

Figure 1
A The muscle is exposed.
B The suture is placed 1 to 1.5 mm from the insertion (a
handle-suture as shown in Figure 2 is placed in all
cases).
C The suture is secured with a central bite which is tied
and locking loops are placed at the borders.
D If the muscle is tight, it is cut from the globe with a
scalpel, cutting against a muscle; otherwise scissors are
used.
E The sutures are brought through the muscles stump.
F If a bolster is used, the suture is brought through after
putting the needles through conjunctiva to produce a
conjunctival recession (as shown) or through conjunctiva
overlying the stump.
G The suture is tied over the bolster (if used) or on con-
junctiva.

256
 Adjustable sutures: techniques for restrictions
5. The incision in conjunctiva should be made
so that the surgeon can access the suture at the
time of adjustment and then close the
conjunctiva satisfactorily with the patient
awake.
6. The use of adjustable sutures are effectively
limited to the rectus muscles (Figure 1).
In every case of adjustable suture, a so-called
handle suture is placed in superficial sclera usually
near the limbus. This is used for stabilizing the eye,
securing the muscle, and in rotating it at the time of
adjustment. The suture can be temporarily tied with
a bow know, a slip knot, or a noose like cinch knot
that can be secured tightly or loosened to slide up and
down the suture as needed during adjustment.
Use of an adjustable suture begs the question,
Where should the eyes be placed at the time of
adjustment?. While there is no reliable answer to
this question, I tend to leave the eyes in the alignment
I would like to achieve at the same period
postoperatively if the muscle had been firmly
attached to sclera at the time of operation. Patients
with postoperative diplopia are adjusted to a diplopia-
free position. Non-fusing exotropic patients are left
straight or slightly exotropic; non-fusing esotropic
patients are left straight or slightly esotropic.
Because I never use an adjustable suture in a patient
treated surgically for intermittent esotropia, I can
A B
Figure 2
A The handle suture.
only suggest leaving the eye in the same alignment
that is preferred when standard surgery is performed;
that is, a slight overcorrection.
A handle of 6-0 Vicryl placed in sclera at the
limbus as a means of grasping and manipulating the
globe during adjustment is shown in Figure 2. The
handle must be exposed at the conclusion of surgery
regardless of which type of incision has been used. A
forceps grasping the handle allows relatively easy
rotation and stabilization of the globe during surgery
and during adjustment. A three-cornered limbal
incision may be used that can be taken down at the
time of adjustment and repaired when the adjustment
is completed. A sliding knot over the sutures
suspending the muscle can be helpful during
adjustment. The sliding knot is secured at surgery
when the muscle is at the intended position and the
suture ends are tied. At adjustment, the knot may be
loosened and slid toward the cornea while the patient
looks in the opposite direction as the globe is
stabilized with the handle suture if the recession
effect is to be increased. If the recession effect is to
be lessened, the suture holding the muscle is pulled
up and the slip knot is slid toward the muscle. When
a cul-de-sac incision is used, a handle suture is placed
at the upper insertion in case of an inferiorly placed
incision. For adjustment, this suture is pulled up to
center the incision over the muscle stump.
B The suture ends must be retrievable.
continued.
257
Chapter 12

C D

E F

G H

Figure 2, contd
C The handle suture stabilizes the globe during adjustment.
D A three cornered limbal incision may be used.
E The sutures may be secured with a slip knot.
F The amount of hang back can be measured.
G The muscle is advanced or it drops back sliding through
the slip knot which is tightened when the muscle is in the
intended position.
H Both the handle suture and the adjustable suture are led
out through the cul-de-sac (inferior) incision shown.
I The handle suture lifts the incision over the muscle inser-
tion.

258
 Adjustable sutures: techniques for restrictions
Tandem adjustable suture
A useful modification of the adjustable
suture is the tandem adjustable suture. It combines
the hang back suture with the adjustable suture
(Figure 3). Using this technique a static hang back
suture is placed putting the eye at the position the
surgeon thinks will be most likely to achieve the
desired alignment. If that is the case, a stable
situation prevails and there is no need to manipulate
the suture in the process of re-tying, and securing as
would be required if a single suture capable of
adjustment were used. If the muscle is too far back,
A B
Figure 3
A Two 6-0 vicryl sutures are placed 1.5 and 2.5 mm from
disinsertion.
B The muscle is detached and the proximal (nearer the
insertion) sutures pass through the stump producing a
hang loose recession, placing the muscle where the
surgeon thinks best. The distal sutures are brought
through the stump outside the first sutures - they are left
untied.
the second or tandem suture is simply tied tighter
without the risk of the muscle slipping back and the
possibility of the surgeon losing track of where the
muscle is at the start of adjustment. If the muscle
needs to be let back farther, the first or hang back
suture is cut and the second tandem suture is used in
the usual manner for an adjustable suture. In my
experience, the tandem suture needs adjustment less
than 25% of the time. This makes the tandem suture,
in my experience, the most convenient technique to
use when an adjustable suture is called for.
C The incision is closed with the adjustable suture ends
exposed. If no adjustment is needed the adjustable
sutures are cut.
continued.
259
Chapter 12
Figure 3, contd
D If at adjustment the muscle is to be let back the first
suture is cut and the muscle is adjusted using the sec-
ond suture.
Adjustable suture
considerations
Important considerations for the adjustable
suture technique are ease of adjustment, accuracy of
final alignment, and patient comfort during and after
surgery and during adjustment. Enthusiasm for use of
adjustable recession and resection varies widely
among even the most experienced surgeons. Some
never use this type of surgery stating that the tech-
nique is absolutely unnecessary and that excellent
results can be obtained without using adjustable
sutures. Other equally experienced and competent
surgeons use adjustable sutures in every patient who
will cooperate for adjustment with few exceptions.
The majority of surgeons probably occupy the middle
ground, using the adjustable suture technique only in
selected cases. I perform adjustable suture surgery on
less than 10% of adult patients undergoing strabismus
surgery.
As with the use of adjustable sutures, timing of
adjustment varies widely among surgeons. When a
patient has topical or perilimbal anesthesia with min-
imum sedation, I prefer to carry out the adjustment
while the patient is on the operating table, positioning
260
E If the muscle is to be adjusted closer to the insertion, it is
simply pulled up with the adjustable suture. The first
suture is redundant.
the eye appropriately and then carrying out cover test-
ing. If the patient is able to respond, I ask whether the
patient sees two and by careful adjustment work to
eliminate the diplopia. If general anesthesia is used,
I merely attempt to center the eye and carry out the
adjustment later. The suture may be adjusted on the
day of surgery, or in the recovery room an hour or
more after surgery if the alignment is significantly
different than intended. The most common and most
productive time for adjustment is approximately 24
hours after surgery, either at the bedside for those
patients who are admitted to the hospital or in the
clinic for outpatients. Topical anesthesia with
proparacaine hydrochloride, tetracaine, or 5%
Xylocaine may be used. A lid speculum is helpful to
give exposure while picking up the suture ends.
Tying forceps are used to grasp the suture holding the
muscle and a fine utility forceps is used to grasp the
handle suture. Scissors are used to trim the suture
ends after the adjustment has been completed. One
surgeon I know claims to be able to adjust a muscle as
late as 10 days after surgery. Although I believe her,
 Adjustable sutures: techniques for restrictions
I would not attempt an adjustment that long after sur-
gery. From experience with a few cases of early reop-
eration, I believe that a fairly firm myoscleral union is
formed in just a few days. Rather vigorous manipu-
lation of the globe is required to accomplish late mus-
cle adjustment. As with surgery performed with top-
ical or local anesthesia, the pain during adjustment
comes mainly from traction on the muscle and is deep
in the orbit. This can cause syncope and nausea. For
adjustment it is a good idea to either have the patient
lying down or have a bed available nearby. The
patient may take a mild oral analgesic a few hours
before the adjustment to make them more comfort-
able.
Conjunctival recession
When the conjunctiva is recessed because of
tightness that restricts free movement of the eye, it is
usually necessary to move the limbal margin of the
conjunctiva back 5 to 7 mm or to the insertion site of
the recessed muscle. In the rare case where conjunc-
tival recession is performed without recessing the rec-
tus muscle, the limbal margin is moved to a point just
covering the insertion of the muscle. When the con-
junctiva is severely scarred it may be excised and the
cut edge of conjunctiva attached to underlying sclera.
This step may be carried out medially as far as the
plica semilunaris. Because the medial conjunctiva
containing the plica semilunaris and caruncle has
more tissue and because the medial recti are the most
frequently operated extraocular muscles, medial con-
junctiva is the area most frequently in need of revi-
sion. In contrast to reddened scars of the conjunctiva,
clear subconjunctival cysts which occur occasionally
after eye muscle surgery can be removed, sometimes
intact, without the need to recess the conjunctiva pro-
vided the overlying conjunctiva remains elastic.
A B
Figure 4
A Tight, scarred conjunctiva
When reoperating a patient who has undergone a
previous conjunctival recession, it is necessary to
enter sub-anterior Tenon's space at the point where
conjunctiva had been recessed. The sclera in the area
of conjunctival recession becomes re-epithelialized
with a thin layer that adheres tightly to underlying
sclera. It should not be disturbed. Patients are usual-
ly comfortable after conjunctival recession.
Ointment is used twice a day after surgery (switching
to drops in the morning if ointment causes blur) and
no patching is necessary. It is also important to
remember that conjunctiva becomes extremely thin
and friable in older patients. Even some patients in
their 20's may have very thin conjunctiva. Nearly all
patients 30 years and older have very thin conjuncti-
va. Therefore, it is impractical to attempt a cul-de-sac
incision in an older patient unless the surgeon has
inspected the conjunctiva and has determined that it
could withstand the necessary manipulation.
Eyes with longstanding esotropia usually have a
foreshortened conjunctiva that restricts abduction. A
limbal incision is made in the usual manner encom-
passing approximately 2 to 3 clock hours centered
over the muscle's insertion with radial relaxing inci-
sion approximately 10 mm long. For closure with
recession, conjunctiva-Tenon's is sutured to sclera
with three interrupted 8-0 Vicryl sutures used. With
the conjunctiva sutured in place, the bare sclera is left
to re-epithelialize in a day or so.
With a severely scarred conjunctiva, the entire
conjunctival flap may be excised and the cut end of
conjunctiva sutured to underlying sclera and the
relaxing incision sites sutured to adjacent conjuncti-
va-Tenon's. When medial scarring is extensive, the
medial conjunctiva can be excised as far medially as
the plica semilunaris. The plica is then sutured direct-
ly to underlying sclera far medially (Figure 4).
B For conjunctival recession A is attached to A1 and C to
C1. A third suture is placed in the center.
continued.
261
Chapter 12

C D

F G

H I

Figure 4, contd E Scarred medial conjunctiva

C Conjunctival recession sutures are placed. G and the cut edges of conjunctiva sutured to sclera.
D The conjunctival recession is completed. H In extreme cases of conjunctiva scarring,
F Very thick conjunctiva can be excised, I Pratt-Johnson has excised conjunctiva to the caruncle.

262
 Adjustable sutures: techniques for restrictions

Traction sutures
When the surgeon is concerned that postopera-
tive adhesions may cause the globe to remain fixed in
an undesirable position, traction suture placement
may be used. The eye should always be placed in a
position opposite the undesirable fixation. A chroni-
cally esodeviated eye with restricted abduction
should be fixed in abduction, a Brown syndrome
should be fixed in adduction and sursumduction, and
so on.
In Figure 5, the right eye is to be placed in
forced abduction. Two scleral bites are taken near the
nasal limbus with 4-0 silk sutures. The sutures are
brought out through the upper tarsus and tied over a
rubber or silicone peg with the eye in several degrees
of abduction. The sutures are removed in 5 to 7 days.
Because the eye is rotated, corneal contact by the
suture is kept to a minimum. To place the eye in
forced adduction, suture placement is reversed. To
fix the eye in sursumduction, two scleral bites are
taken at the 6 o'clock limbus position and the 4-0 silk
sutures are taken out through the upper tarsus and tied
over a rubber or silicone peg. To fix the eye is deor-
sumduction, the two bites are taken at the 12 o'clock
position with 4-0 silk sutures, and the sutures are
brought out through the lower tarsus and tied over a
rubber or silicone peg.
Some surgeons prefer to anchor traction
sutures through the tendinous insertion of the rectus
muscles. The attachment to the globe is more secure
with this technique. The traction sutures are placed at
the insertion of the superior and inferior rectus before
fixing the eye in abduction or adduction. Traction
sutures are placed at the insertion of the horizontal
recti to fix the eye in sursumduction or deorsumduc-
tion. The right eye is fixed in abduction and the
sutures are brought out through the temporal aspect of
the upper lid, fixing the eye in the abducted position.

A B

C D

Figure 5
A A 4-0 black silk suture is secured to sclera.
B The eye anchored in adduction.
C The eye anchored in elevation.
D The eye anchored in depression.
E The eye anchored in elevation and adduction with two
traction sutures placed in the insertion of the superior
and inferior rectus.

263

Muscle transposition
procedures
Overview
When an extraocular muscle is paralyzed it has
lost the ability to contract. The usual strengthening
techniques such as resection, advancement, or tuck
(actually shortening procedures) do not restore the
muscles potential for normal ocular rotation. A new,
more favorable, static position of the globe may be
accomplished after a large recession-resection proce-
dure, but movement in the field of action of the para-
lyzed muscle is not accomplished. To remedy this,
Hummelsheim in 1907 devised a procedure to trans-
fer part of the action of the superior and inferior rec-
tus muscles to the field of action of the lateral rectus
muscle in cases of sixth nerve palsy.
This procedure has undergone numerous mod-
ifications in the last century, but most retain the basic
principle of the technique as introduced by
Hummelsheim. The principle is that action of mus-
cles that are normally antagonists are transferred to
the field of action of the muscle lying between these
antagonists. For example, the superior and inferior
rectus muscles are transferred to a point adjacent to
the lateral rectus muscle in sixth nerve palsy or to the
medial rectus in case of medial rectus palsy. The hor-
izontal recti are likewise shifted adjacent to the supe-
rior rectus in superior rectus palsy and to the inferior
rectus when this muscle is paralyzed.
Muscle transposition may be indicated in any
case where paralysis of a muscle is associated with an
unacceptable deviation in the primary position and/or
bothersome diplopia. This can occur in unilateral or
bilateral sixth nerve palsy, double elevator palsy, infe-
rior rectus palsy, with an irretrievable lost muscle,
and other causes. It should be emphasized that in
cases of extraocular muscle paralysis, especially
those of longstanding, mechanical restriction can be
present in the antagonist. When paralysis and
mechanical restrictions limiting free movement coex-
13
ist, the mechanical restrictions must be eliminated
before carrying out the extraocular muscle transfer.
This release of mechanical restrictions can be done
with surgery or to some extent by chemodenervation
with Botox.
Extraocular muscle transfer achieves a change
in the mechanics of a given muscle but innervation to
this muscle remains the same as preoperatively, and
the muscle continues to obey Herings law. A suc-
cessful extraocular muscle transfer procedure has
most of its effect in changing alignment in the pri-
mary position with only a limited effect in the field of
action of the paralyzed muscle. This movement may
be due to a spring load effect created by the trans-
ferred muscles and activated when the antagonist
relaxes according to Sherringtons law during
attempts to look in the field of action of the paralyzed
muscle. Some patients with acquired sixth nerve
palsy and also some with acquired vertical rectus
palsy can achieve expanded areas of diplopia-free
vision after muscle transfer, and others just look bet-
ter in the primary position while retaining large areas
of diplopia.
A review of muscle
transposition procedures
In Hummelsheim's original transplant proce-
dure, the lateral halves of the tendons of the superior
and inferior rectus muscles are attached to the tendon
of the lateral rectus (Figure 1A). In O'Connor's mod-
ification of the Hummelsheim procedure the entire
tendons of the superior and inferior rectus muscles
are sutured to the sclera adjacent to the insertion of
the lateral rectus and a cinch is performed on the lat-
eral rectus (Figure 1B). In a further modification of
O'Connor's technique the nasal halves of the superior
265
Chapter 13

A B

C D

E F

Figure 1 Muscle transposition procedures

A Hummelsheim E Peter
B OConnor F Hildreth
C Modified OConnor G Schillinger
D Wiener continued.

266

H I
J K
Figure 1, contd Muscle transposition procedures
H Beren-Girard
I Jensen
and inferior rectus tendons are passed beneath the
temporal halves of the insertions and attached to the
sclera adjacent to the lateral rectus tendon (Figure
1C). In Wiener's procedure the paralyzed lateral rec-
tus is transected and the proximal tendon is split and
joined to the adjacent superior and inferior rectus
muscles (Figure 1D). In Peter's procedure for third
nerve palsy, the trochlea is fractured and a shortened
superior oblique tendon is sutured to the sclera near
the insertion of the medial rectus (Figure 1E). In
Hildreth's procedure the entire tendons of the superi-
or and inferior rectus muscles are joined with nonab-
sorbable suture (Figure 1F).
In Schillinger's procedure the entire tendons of
the superior and inferior rectus muscles are sutured to
the sclera near the insertion of the lateral rectus
(Figure 1G). In Beren's and Girard's technique the
medial rectus is recessed, the lateral rectus resected,
and both superior and inferior rectus muscles shifted
one-half width temporally, with the temporal half of
each muscle sutured to the resected lateral rectus
Muscle transposition procedures
J Uribe
K Knapp
(Figure 1H). In Jensen's technique the superior rec-
tus, inferior rectus, and lateral rectus muscles are split
along their long axes. The lateral half of the superior
rectus is joined to the superior half of the lateral rec-
tus and the inferior half of the lateral rectus and the
lateral half of the inferior rectus are joined in a simi-
lar fashion with nonabsorbable sutures. The medial
rectus may or may not be recessed. This procedure
performed on appropriate muscles also has been sug-
gested for double elevator palsy, medial rectus palsy,
and double depressor palsy (Figure 1I). In Uribe's
technique the medial rectus is recessed, the lateral
rectus resected, and the entire tendon of the superior
and inferior rectus muscles sutured to the sclera adja-
cent to the resected lateral rectus insertion (Figure
1J). In Knapp's technique for double elevator palsy
the entire tendon of the medial and lateral rectus mus-
cle is shifted and sutured to the sclera adjacent to the
insertion of the superior rectus. The inferior rectus
may also be recessed. This full tendon transfer may
be used for any of the rectus muscles (Figure 1K).
267
Chapter 13

Rectus muscle transfer

Transfer of antagonist rectus muscles to a posi-
tion near the insertion of the paralyzed rectus muscle
lying between is the technique currently used for
most extraocular muscle transposition. This can be A
carried out for any of the rectus muscles. It is done
most frequently shifting the superior and inferior rec-
tus muscles to the lateral rectus muscle for sixth nerve
paralysis to offset, at least in part, absence of abduc-
tion. This type of transfer is also used for the superi-
or, inferior and less often for the medial rectus mus-
cle when function is lost because of paralysis or phys-
ical damage to the muscle.
The entire muscle or just one half of the mus-
cle is shifted in this procedure. Full tendon transfer is
more powerful, but it sacrifices both anterior ciliary
arteries in the transferred muscle. Shifting only one
half of the muscle spares one anterior ciliary artery in B
each of the transferred muscles if care is exercised.
To add more power to the transfer, the border of the
transferred muscle can be sutured to the paralyzed
muscle as described by Foster or adjacent to it as
described by Buckley. In addition, the antagonist can
be weakened by recession at the time of surgery or by
Botox a week or two before surgery or sometimes
after.
This surgery is begun with a limbal incision
that extends for 180 degrees (Figure 2). The muscles
to be transferred are isolated on a muscle hook and
the intermuscular membrane on both borders is freed
from the muscle border fifteen or more millimeters
from the insertion. Either the entire muscle is hooked
and one or two sutures are placed 1or 2 mm behind
the insertion or the muscle is split making sure that
the anterior ciliary artery in the half of the muscle
remaining remains undisturbed. Suture(s) are then C
placed in the muscle half. The muscles are detached
and reattached to sclera just touching the paralyzed
muscle between with the transferred insertion placed
concentric with the limbus.
The antagonist rectus may be recessed leaving
only the remaining anterior ciliary vessel(s) in the
paralyzed muscle if a full tendon transfer has been
done, or at least three if a half tendon transfer has
been performed. In selected cases the antagonist may
be temporarily paralyzed at surgery by injecting up to
5 units of Botox.

Figure 2
A A limbal incision is made for 180 degrees. This proce-
dure is shown for transfer of the superior and inferior
rectus to the lateral rectus, but it may be done for any of
the rectus muscles.
B The three rectus muscles are exposed.
C For a full tendon transfer, one or two sutures are placed
1 or 2 mm behind the insertion of the muscle to be trans-
ferred using one double arm or two single arm sutures.
continued.

268
 Muscle transposition procedures

D E

F G

Figure 2, contd
D After detaching the muscles, they are reattached to scle-
ra concentric with the limbus with one border of the mus-
cle just touching the edge of the insertion of the para-
lyzed muscle.
E For a half muscle transfer, the muscle is split with a mus-
cle hook and is separated backward for 15 mm. A suture
is placed in the half of the muscle to be transferred, the
muscle is detached and reattached just touching the
edge of the insertion of the paralyzed muscle. Care
should be exercised to spare the remaining ciliary artery.
F For a more powerful muscle transfer, the borders of the
muscle can be joined with a non-absorbable suture 8 mm
behind the insertion of the paralyzed muscle, or these
transferred edges can be sutured to sclera adjacent to
the paralyzed muscle. This can be done with a full or a
half tendon transfer.
G The antagonist rectus may be recessed.
H Botox may be injected in the antagonist.

269
Chapter 13
Scleral augmented muscle-
tendon transfer
In cases of strabismus where a rectus muscle is
missing because of trauma, previous surgery, or con-
genital absence, a traditional muscle transfer proce-
dure cannot be performed. In cases such as this
where the antagonist is tight, it must be recessed.
This in turn rules out a full tendon transfer of the two
remaining rectus muscles because of the chance of
anterior segment ischemia after detachment of all the
rectus muscles of a given eye. A Jensen procedure
cannot be performed because the absence of a rectus
muscle rules out rectus muscle union. With the
advent of Botox the tight antagonist can be injected,
but this neurotoxin treatment cannot be expected to
release tightness associated with a chronic deviation
caused by secondary structural changes in the muscle,
in the conjunctiva, anterior Tenon's capsule, and
intermuscular membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule),
and it cannot change movement in the field of action
of the missing muscle.
The scleral augmented muscle-tendon transfer
avoids the condition that could cause anterior seg-
ment ischemia; that is, removal of all remaining rec-
tus muscles with their anterior ciliary arteries - and at
the same time allows completion of the equivalent of
a Jensen procedure. The scleral augmented muscle-
tendon transfer is accomplished by first recessing the
tight antagonist and then suturing a 1.5 mm wide
band of preserved sclera to host sclera approximately
at the site of the normal insertion of the missing mus-
cle. The long (approximately 100 mm) strip of scle-
ra is threaded through the two adjacent rectus muscles
that are divided along their long axes. The ends of the
scleral strip are then drawn together, pulling the mus-
cle slips toward the area of the missing muscle.
When the eye is slightly past the midline, the scleral
strip ends are joined with nonabsorbable 5-0 suture.
We have used this procedure successfully in cases
where a large horizontal strabismus was caused by a
Figure 3
A large exotropia in a patient who at surgery was found to have no left medial rectus.
270
missing medial or lateral rectus muscle. I have also
threaded 5-0 nonabsorbable suture in the scleral strip
for added strength.
A 54-year-old woman with a large left
exotropia who had undergone two previous proce-
dures for esotropia is shown (Figure 3). Both eyes
had been operated on at each procedure. The last
operation had been performed when the patient was
17 years old and resulted in this large exotropia. The
left eye could not move even to the midline, passive
ductions were severely restricted in the direction of
adduction, and no generated muscle force was meas-
ured in attempted adduction. At surgery, no medial
rectus was found. A 1.5 x 100 mm strip of glycerin
preserved human sclera was prepared. The middle of
the scleral strip was sutured at the point where the
medial rectus muscle would have inserted. One end
of the scleral strip was passed beneath the medial half
of the superior rectus that had been split along its long
axis (Figure 4). The inferior rectus muscle was also
split along its long axis and the other end of the scle-
ral strip was placed around the medial half of the infe-
rior rectus. One anterior ciliary artery was left undis-
turbed in both the superior and inferior rectus muscle.
The tight lateral rectus was then recessed. After this,
the scleral strips were drawn toward each other,
pulling the split halves of the rectus muscles toward
the area on the globe usually occupied by the inser-
tion of the missing muscle. The scleral strip ends
were sutured together with 5-0 nonabsorbable suture
with the eye in a slightly overcorrected position. The
thin scleral strip may be passed beneath the split mus-
cle or over the outer surface of the split muscle, as
shown here, without altering the outcome of the pro-
cedure. A satisfactory primary position alignment
after scleral augmented extraocular muscle transfer
was accomplished. Adduction was achieved but the
eye could move only a few degrees (Figure 5).
 Muscle transposition procedures

A B

Figure 4
A The scleral strip is sutured 5.5 mm from the limbus, the
vertical rectus is split, and the scleral strip is passed
through the split muscle.
B The scleral strip pulls the vertical recti toward the empty
medial rectus insertion site. The antagonist is recessed.
C The ends of the scleral strip are joined with non-
absorbable sutures.

Figure 5
Postoperative alignment is good.

271
Chapter 13
Knapp procedure
The Knapp procedure remains a popular tech-
nique for muscle transposition. It is useful for treat-
ing double elevator palsy especially when there is no
mechanical restriction to elevation. This technique
employs upward shift of the medial and lateral rectus
muscles to a point adjacent to the corners of the inser-
tion of the superior rectus muscle. It differs from
other transpositions of the full tendon in that the line
of insertion of the transposed muscles is more or less
parallel to the borders of the superior rectus. This is
in contrast to those full tendon transfer procedures
that have the new insertion of the transferred muscles
concentric with the limbus. This may make a differ-
ence in the pull of the transposed muscle, especially
if the concentric insertion transfer is reinforced with a
suture joining the transposed muscle to the paralyzed
muscle 8 mm posterior to the insertion.
Figure 6
A A large limbal incision ( or equivalent) is made.
B After placing one or two sutures in the medial and lateral
rectus muscles, these muscles are detached and reat-
tached adjacent to the border of the superior rectus mus-
cle.
272
The procedure starts with a large limbal inci-
sion or equivalent (Figure 6). The medial and lateral
rectus muscles are secured with two single arm or one
double arm suture, are detached and reattached at the
corner of the superior rectus insertion. Subtle differ-
ences in the alignment of the insertions of the trans-
ferred muscles can be employed to modify both the
horizontal and the vertical pull. In theory the higher
the placement of the new insertions, the more the
upward pull on the eye. In addition, location of the
placement of the new insertions, especially that of the
lateral rectus muscle can affect the horizontal align-
ment. I produced a large transient exodeviation in
one patient after doing this procedure for double ele-
vator palsy. The conjunctiva is closed in the usual
manner.
C The incision is closed with 8-0 absorbable suture.
 Muscle transposition procedures

Superior oblique tendon

transfer
Superior oblique tendon transfer can be a use-
ful procedure in cases of complete third nerve palsy.
Theoretically the transferred muscle should act more
like a tether holding the eye in adduction than as a A
functioning rotator. Nevertheless, the improvement
in alignment that results from this procedure resulting
in improvement in the patient's appearance has kept
superior oblique tendon transfer in the strabismus sur-
geon's armamentarium. In the past I have attempted
to fracture the trochlea in order to bring the superior
oblique tendon forward from the apex of the orbit
producing a more physiologic pull for adduction.
However, this resulted too often in either inability to
fracture a tough trochlea, cutting the superior oblique
tendon near the trochlea or both! I now recommend
transfer of the superior oblique tendon without
attempting to fracture the trochlea. While this is not B
a perfect procedure, nothing that I know of can be
expected to yield a perfect result in cases of third
nerve palsy.
The procedure begins with a large limbal inci-
sion exposing the adjacent corners of the medial and
superior rectus muscles (Figure 7). The superior
oblique tendon is seen nasal to the superior rectus
muscle as it passes in Tenons capsule toward its inser-
tion. The tendon is engaged on a small hook and is
shelled out of Tenon's as described in chapter 9. The
tendon is pulled forward and is cut as near the inser-
tion as possible in order to have sufficient tendon
C
length. A small clamp should be placed on the supe-
rior oblique tendon before the tendon is transected.
The tendon is then pulled to meet the upper corner of
the medial rectus while the eye is rotated medially. A
suture, preferably, 5-0 non-absorbable, is placed in
sclera and is brought through the tendon securely
attaching the tendon to sclera with the eye in slight
adduction.

Figure 7
A The location of the limbal incision.
B The superior oblique tendon engaged on a muscle hook.
At this time a small clamp is placed on the superior
oblique tendon and it is cut as close to the insertion as
possible.
C The tendon is sutured to sclera at the upper border of
the medial rectus muscle.

273
Chapter 13
Transposition for head tilt
without oblique muscle
dysfunction
An uncommon but challenging clinical prob-
lem is posed by the patient who assumes a head tilt to
achieve his/her null point of nystagmus and thereby
realize better vision. Other patients, still rarer,
assume a head tilt to gain more comfortable vision
who have neither nystagmus nor oblique muscle dys-
function. In cases like these, the principal espoused
by Kestenbaum in the United States and Anderson in
Australia is invoked. That is, the eyes are shifted in
the direction of the head tilt. In the original descrip-
tion of surgery for null point nystagmus, Anderson
recessed yoke horizontal recti, and Kestenbaum per-
formed recession and resection on each eye to accom-
plish the same. For example; if the null point of a
patients nystagmus occurred with right face turn and
eyes left, Andersons procedure would recess the left
Figure 8
A For treatment of a chronic right head tilt without oblique
muscle dysfunction, in the right eye, the superior rectus
is shifted one muscle width nasally and the inferior rectus
is shifted one muscle width temporally. In the left eye,
the superior rectus is shifted one muscle width temporal-
ly and the inferior rectus is shifted one muscle width
nasally.
274
lateral and right medial rectus. In Kestenbaums pro-
cedure, to this would be added resection of the left
medial rectus and resection of the right lateral rectus.
Of these two procedures, I prefer the Anderson pro-
cedure or perform a recession of all four horizontal
recti (see page 446).
von Noorden recommends what he calls a tor-
sional Kestenbaum to treat this head tilt without
oblique muscle dysfunction. With this procedure, the
eyes are rotated in the direction of the head tilt and
just as in Andersons and Kestenbaums procedures,
the eyes are moved in the direction of the face turn by
shifting the insertion of the vertical rectus muscles
according to the scheme shown in Figure 8 (also see
page 194).
B For treatment of chronic left head tilt without oblique
muscle dysfunction, in the right eye, the superior rectus
is shifted one muscle width temporally and the inferior
rectus is shifted one muscle width nasally. In the left
eye, the superior rectus is shifted one muscle width
nasally and the inferior rectus is shifted one muscle width
temporally.

Botox (Botulinum A toxin)
Overview
Extraocular muscle action must altered in some
way in order to change alignment of the eyes when
treating strabismus. This is done by surgery usually
in the form of recession, resection, transfer, myotomy
and tenotomy,. Ocular alignment may also be influ-
enced by optical correction with plus lenses to reduce
an esodeviation in refractive esotropia and high AC/A
and also minus lenses in excess of the patients refrac-
tive error to reduce an exodeviation. Cholinesterase
inhibitors used topically can increase the efficiency of
accommodation and thereby reduce accommodative
convergence and the associated esodeviation.
Another way of weakening the effect of an
extraocular muscle is the injection of a selected drug
into the muscle itself. This had been tried in the past
using agents such as alcohol or local anesthetics
which were either too successful causing irre-
versible muscle paralysis or transient. Then in 1972
Alan Scott began injecting extraocular muscles in the
laboratory in search of a clinically effective agent.
He tried several including Cobra toxin, finally settling
on botulinum toxin (type A). Human studies began in
1977. The drug was first released for investigational
use and was finally placed on the market in 1989 for
the treatment of blepharospasm and strabismus in
patients over 12 years. The sales and distribution of
botulinum A toxin was taken over later by Allergan
Pharmaceutical and is now marketed for a wide vari-
ety of uses under the name Botox.
The drug
Clostridium botulinum is a large, aerobic, gram
positive, rod shaped organism. Of the eight immuno-
logically distinguishable exotoxins three types (A,B,
and E) are commonly associated with human toxicity.
Paralysis of a muscle by botulinum is caused by the
inhibition of the release of acetylcholine (Ach). In
the case of accidental intoxication, death is caused by
14
a general neural shut down. The therapeutic para-
lytic effect of botulinum toxin on extraocular muscle
function is dose related with minuscule doses produc-
ing maximum effect in 5 to 7 days after injection of
the drug. Although 6 to 9 months may be required to
recover completely from the effects of the toxin, the
useful effect may be much shorter for a variety of rea-
sons including toxin integrity, administration tech-
nique, and severity of disease. The effect of the toxin
can be reduced by the early injection (within thirty
minutes) of antitoxin. However, I do not know of
clinical facilities having this drug on hand. Repeated
injections of botulinum toxin tend not to be recog-
nized by the human immune system, but antibodies
have been found in some patients. I have personally
injected more than 1,000 cumulative units of Botox
into several blepharospasm patients over the course
of several years with no apparent adverse side effect.
The local effect of the toxin can be prevented by prior
toxoid immunization.
The large botulinum molecule is fragile and is
susceptible to damage from shaking and frothing;
therefore, it should be reconstituted, drawn up, and
injected gently. Botox is supplied in vials that contain
100 units of freeze-dried toxin. Each unit contains
about 0.25 ng (billionths of a gram) of toxin. The
toxin is stored in a freezer until used.
The freeze-dried drug is reconstituted with
non-preserved normal saline. Four ml of 0.9% NaCl
are injected into the bottle with the toxin. When
reconstituted according to specific dilution instruc-
tions present on each vial, the concentration is 25
U/ml (or 2.5 U/0.1ml). The reconstituted Botox
should be used within a few hours of mixing to retain
its maximum therapeutic effect. The human LD/50
for Botox is approximately the full contents of 20
vials, making this drug potentially less dangerous
than aspirin!
275
Chapter 14
Indications for Botox
The following indications for the use of botu-
linum toxin are modified from a summary by Osako
and Keltner:
1. Strabismus
Horizontal nonparalytic strabismus less than
40 PD
Surgical undercorrection and overcorrection
Sensory deviation
Preoperative evaluation for diplopia
Vertical, nonparalytic, nonrestrictive
strabismus
Acute and chronic third and sixth nerve palsy
Thyroid ophthalmopathy
Strabismus after retinal detachment repair
Incisional surgery contraindicated or refused
2. Acquired nystagmus
3. Essential blepharospasm
4. Hemifacial spasm
5. Aberrant regeneration of the seventh nerve
6. Myokymia
7. Corneal exposure producing pathology
The following complications of Botox treatment
also taken from Osako and Keltner include:
1. Ptosis
2. Induced deviations (overcorrection, new devia-
tion)
3. Undercorrection
4. Diplopia
5. Pupillary dilatation
6. Reduced accommodation
7. Hemorrhage (subconjunctival, Retrobulbar)
8. Scleral perforation
9. Corneal exposure
10. Upper lip droop
Since this list was compiled, several new uses for
Botox have been described. These include treatment
for dysphonia, for relief of long muscle spasm from a
variety of conditions, and even in the treatment of
hemorrhoids! Probably the most novel new use of
Botox has been for cosmetic purposes. The injection
of small doses of the drug has achieved wide spread
use for reducing facial wrinkles. This activity is her-
alded in aggressive advertising. So-called Botox
parties are held where groups assemble to receive the
treatment in a more-or-less social atmosphere. The
media has referred to Botox as the most rapidly grow-
ing medical treatment in the United States.
276
Use of Botox in treatment of
strabismus
Botox for the treatment of strabismus is widely
accepted by strabismologists. However, there also
appears to be a wide range of level of usage with
some using it sparingly and other using it in nearly
every case that has any indication. I personally
believe that this drug has an important but limited
role to play. Some others use it in a similar manner
while a few use Botox for a wide variety of strabis-
mus. My recommendation for use of Botox include:
1)injection of the medial rectus in acute sixth nerve
palsy, 2) injection of the sound antagonist in cases of
extraocular muscle transfer when recession of the
antagonist would present a risk for anterior segment
ischemia, 3) injection of a horizontal rectus in case of
small angle strabismus where incisional surgery was
declined or considered not the best alternative,
4) injection of tight muscles in cases of thyroid oph-
thalmopathy, and 5) other indications that could arise
on a case by case basis.
Campos reports injecting both medial rectus
muscles with 3 units of Botox for the treatment of
infantile esotropia in infants 5 to 8 months of age.
He does this after general anesthesia and using mini-
mal incisional surgery to expose the muscle allowing
injection under direct vision. He reported "stable cor-
rection of the strabismus" in 53of 60 patients with an
average follow up of 10 years. Stereopsis tested with
the TNO test was not present in any case. These
results were achieved according to Campos after only
one injection. Other optimistic reports of the treat-
ment of congenital esotropia with Botox are from
McNeer and Magoon.
It could be argued that if anesthesia were
required to expose the muscle for injection, the mus-
cles could be recessed in the traditional way with just
a few more minutes of surgery. If results were equal,
in my mind there would be little to choose between
the two methods. However, the question remains, is
it better for the long run to leave the medial rectus
insertion in its physiologic state as with Botox? This
question at the present is not answered. We do know
that bimedial rectus recession can achieve gross
stereo acuity in some cases but this takes, on average,
two surgeries before a stable alignment is achieved.
In my mind, the jury is still out in the case of Botox
for the treatment of congenital esotropia.

Retrobulbar Botox for
treatment of nystagmus
I have treated several patients who suffered from
disabling nystagmus with retrobulbar Botox injec-
tion. These patients sustained a brain stem stroke
leaving them with long track paralysis, but also with
nystagmus. The typical patient is confined to a
wheelchair, or at least has limited mobility, and suf-
fers the additional handicap of oscillopsia from the
nystagmus. These patients are able to obtain most of
their pleasure from reading and watching television,
both of which are ruled nearly impossible because of
the moving images.
Initially I attempted injecting the four horizontal
muscles with small doses of Botox, but without suc-
cess. I next injected 25 units of Botox into the retrob-
ulbar space in the identical manner of a routine
retrobulbar injection of anesthetic agent. In a matter
of days the nystagmus quieted completely and visual
acuity improved from less than 20/200 to 20/ 30 and
the patient was happy. Since we injected only one
orbit and the other eye continued to experience nys-
tagmus, this eye had to be covered for this patient to
enjoy good vision. The second patient we treated this
way was blind in the other eye because of corneal
scarring from exposure secondary to a seventh nerve
palsy incurred at the time of the stroke. She had been
diagnosed with Foville syndrome This patient
received more than twenty retrobulbar injection over
the course of nearly ten years always obtaining good
results for from three to six months. Four other nys-
tagmus patients received similar treatment by me.
These cases ranged from patients with multiple scle-
rosis (one successful and the other not) to a young
man with nystagmus from poor vision from retinopa-
thy of prematurity (not successful).
Retrobulbar injection of Botox is extremely use-
ful for a very small, select group of patients. Several
things that I have learned regarding this treatment are:
1. The injection is given exactly as you would a
retrobulbar injection of anesthetic agent.
2. The patient should be made to sit up immedi-
ately after the injection to avoid post injection
ptosis (when this was done none of our injec-
tions produced ptosis)
3. Be sure that the patient realizes that if the
other eye can compete it must be covered
for the patient to achieve comfortable vision
4. The pupil after injection remains mid dilated
and accommodation is reduced (since most
patients suitable for this treatment are presby-
opic this is not a significant point)
5. The effect of the injection lasts for three to a
maximum of six months and must be repeat-
ed
6. There seems to be no ill effect from repeated
injections, up to at least 20 in my experience.
Botox (botulinum A-toxin)
7. Retrobulbar hemorrhage that I produced on
one occasion resolved without ill effect for
the patient. The injection, however, had no
beneficial effect.
I injected the superior oblique muscle in one
patient on two occasions to treat superior oblique
myokymia. In each case the injection was done with
general anesthesia and as would be expected, com-
plete ptosis resulted. The first time the myokymia
was unchanged, after the second injection it was
gone. The question remains. Was it the result of the
injection or just time?
Botox for treatment of benign
essential blepharospasm
The most common use for Botox in our clinic is
for the temporary relief of benign essential ble-
pharospasm. These patients are usually in the seventh
decade and beyond although we have treated patients
who were in their 40's. A total of up to 50 units of
Botox (and occasionally more) is injected into the
subcutaneous space at strategically located areas
around the face including the specific areas of muscle
spasm. This treatment is repeated as necessary. That
usually means that patients return on a regular basis
averaging two to six month intervals. Two areas of
injection to avoid when treating blepharospasm are
the area below the nasolabial fold (injection here
causes lip droop leading to biting the lip), and the mid
upper lid area near the innervation of the levator
palpebri (injection here causes ptosis).
Technique of injection
Based on clinical experience dating to the begin-
ning of the clinical trials in the early 1980's, about 3%
of the strabismus patients treated in our clinic receive
Botox. This is in contrast to a strabismologist like
John Lee of Moorfields Eye Hospital who uses Botox
frequently and expertly for a wide variety of cases.
Of the strabismus patients treated by us, about two-
thirds of the patients are treated by injection of the
sound antagonist of a paretic muscle. This is done in
the acute stage to prevent contracture and in chronic
paralysis before during or after surgery. Reasons for
injecting the antagonist after surgery are to avoid the
possible spread of toxin that can occur at the time of
surgery, and to assess the results of surgery and there-
fore adjust the dose of Botox.
To begin the injection process, Botox is removed
from the freezer and unpreserved NaCL 0.9% is
drawn into a 10 ml syringe (Figure 1). Four ml are
injected into the bottle that contains 100 units of
freeze-dried toxin. This creates a solution with a
strength of 2.5 units per 0.1 ml. The bottle should not
277
Chapter 14

A B C 4 CC
NaCl 0.9%

Off On

1 CC
diluted Botox

Figure 1
A The vial of Botox contains 100 units of freeze dried toxin.
B NaCl 0.9% without preservative is used for dilution.
C Four ml of the NaCL 0.9% is drawn up in a small syringe
using a 27-gauge disposable needle and is then injected
slowly into the bottle of freeze dried toxin. The bottle is
not shaken and the liquid is not frothed.
D The appropriate amount of toxin is drawn up into a tuber-
culin syringe with another 27-gauge needle which is then
exchanged for a 2 inch Teflon-guarded 27-gauge needle.
E The needle hub is connected to a lead from the EMG
recorder and the second lead is attached to the patients
forehead. (If injection is done for blepharospasms there
is no need for EMG control and a regular 27-gauge dis-
posable needle may be used).

278
 Botox (botulinum A-toxin)

be shaken or frothed because this will destroy the del-

icate botulinum molecules.
To prepare for injection the appropriate amount
of Botox is drawn into a tuberculin syringe using a
disposable 27-gauge needle which is discarded. The
vial of Botox is intended for single use. If more than
one patient is treated with the contents of a single
vial, all of the Botox should be withdrawn in separate
syringes consecutively and used within approximate- A
ly 30 minutes. Unused prepared Botox has been
stored in a freezer for future use with anecdotal
reports that the toxin retains its strength.
Before injection into the muscle, a 27-gauge
needle, Teflon-sheathed and 2 inches long, is placed
on the syringe. The hub of the needle is then con-
nected to a portable electro-myography (EMG)
recorder. The other lead of the battery operated EMG
recorder is attached to the patient's forehead in an
area that has been wiped with an alcohol sponge. At
this point it is necessary to turn off any fluorescent
light that might interfere with the EMG signal.
The 27-gauge, Teflon-guarded needle is then
thrust carefully through the previously anesthetized
conjunctiva at a point just posterior to the muscle's
insertion. A fine-toothed forceps may be used at this
time to stabilize the eye (Figure 2). During the
advance of the needle the patient is asked to look

B C

Figure 2
A With the eye stabilized with fine-toothed forceps and the
patient looking away from the muscle to be injected. The
Teflon-guarded needle is thrust through conjunctiva just
behind the level of the muscle's insertion.
B The patient continues to look away from the muscle to
be injected while the needle is advanced about one inch.
C With the needle advanced to this point the patient is
asked to move the eye slowly in the direction of the mus-
cle to be injected while the surgeon listens for the crack-
ling indicating neural activity.
continued.

279
Chapter 14

D E

Figure 2, contd
D The patient is then asked to look slowly away from the F A patient with right sixth nerve palsy would look like this
muscle to be injected while the surgeon advances the before injection of the right medial rectus.
needle tip carefully into the muscle and injects the toxin.
E Immediately after this, the needle is removed.

280

away from the muscle being injected. After the nee-
dle has entered the sub-conjunctival space the EMG
recorder is turned on. The needle is advanced slowly
and steadily with the bevel facing away from the scle-
ral surface. The surgeon during this maneuver listens
carefully for the crackling sound indicating nerve
activity. When the needle has been advanced approx-
imately one inch or when the surgeon first hears the
crackling sound, the patient is asked to look slowly
in the field of action of the muscle being injected. A
sharp increase in the audible electrical activity indi-
cates that the bare metal tip of the needle is adjacent
to the muscle's motor end plate. It takes a practiced
ear to differentiate noise from the muscle's neural
activity. At this point, the patient can be asked to look
away from the muscle to be injected. A very short
advance of the needle will result in the needle enter-
ing muscle substance at which time the toxin is inject-
ed. This can mean an injection from as little as 1 unit
to a dose of as much as 5 units. I have not exceeded
this upper limit. The level of neural activity crack-
ling diminishes dramatically upon injection. I am
not sure whether this is from the mechanics of injec-
tion or from the cessation of neural activity. Since the
muscle continues to act normally for hours to days
after injection I suspect it is the former. The patient
ordinarily has no discomfort after injection, but a
small subconjunctival hemorrhage may occur.
Before injecting a strabismus patient with
Botox, the patient (or parents) should understand that
the benefits of this treatment depend on an early over-
correction that could be alarming if forewarning had
not been provided. Patients should also be warned
that unintended toxin spread could cause other stra-
bismus and even ptosis on a temporary basis. Also,
the beneficial results of Botox treatment for strabis-
mus may be only temporary. A woman I treated suc-
cessfully with Botox for small angle strabismus, went
to the bus station and in a photo kiosk took pictures of
her alignment on a weekly basis recording the return
of the original angle of strabismus over a period of a
few months and sending them to me!
Figure 3
A The site of subcutaneous injection for blepharospasm.
Botox (botulinum A-toxin)
Botox for the treatment of
blepharospasm
The most common use of Botox in our clinic
has been for treatment of benign essential ble-
pharospasm and other annoying, even disabling facial
spasms and ticks. Between 80 and 100 patients seen
on a regular basis receive a total of more than 300
Botox injections each year. Satisfactory results are
obtained in nearly every case allowing the patient to
engage in normal life activities without the embar-
rassing spastic movement of their facial muscles. The
beneficial effect of Botox injection lasts on average 3
to 6 months. Patients have received repeat injection
up to 30 or more times without apparent adverse
effect.
Because blepharospasm and facial myokymia
can be associated with brain stem disease and multi-
ple sclerosis among other serious neurologic disease,
we require that patients be under the supervision of
their family physician or a neurologist before provid-
ing Botox treatment for blepharospasm.
The surgical treatment of blepharospasm is a
formidable undertaking with potential complications
including facial paralysis and corneal exposure. With
the advent of Botox, the indications for surgical treat-
ment of blepharospasm are less.
Injection techniques for
blepharospasm and facial
spasm
Benign essential blepharospasm is treated with
five 2.5 unit doses of Botox injected subcutaneously
at the medial and lateral aspect of each lid and at the
lateral canthus (Figure 3). Care should be exercised
to avoid injecting the mid portion of the upper lid so
as to avoid paralyzing the levator palpebri and caus-
ing ptosis. In cases where the spasm spreads to other
facial muscles and even to the neck, similar 2.5 unit
injections are given subcutaneously at the site of the
spasm. I have give up to 50 units at one treatment.
Injection should not be made inferior to the nasolabi-
al fold! Injections here cause lip droop that in turns
leads to very annoying lip biting by the patient.
continued.
281
Chapter 14

B C

Figure 3, contd
B A typical appearance before injection. D An example of sites around the face that would be inject-
C A typical appearance a few days after injection. ed in a typical case of hemifacial spasm.

282
 Section 4

Chapter 15: Telemedicine: distance medicine

Chapter 16: Strabismus case management

Chapter 17: Complications of strabismus surgery


Telemedicine:
distance medicine
Tele denotes distance and medicine is the sci-
ence and art dealing with the prevention and healing
of disease - helping people.
Telemedicine is a combination of the two, car-
ried out in a variety of ways. The differences in the
methodology of telemedicine have had a significant
impact on its success or failure. The basic forms of
telemedicine are as follows:
Real time vs. store and forward
Real time is just what it says. The events taking
place occur simultaneously in the distance and at the
point of consultation. The doctor or team of care-
givers on both the requesting end and the serving end
must be on duty at the same time. This might not
have a great deal of effect along meridians, where the
time is the same, but it has a huge implication along
the parallels where time is divided into zones. For
example, if someone from India were seeking consul-
tation in the United States, an 8-10 or more hour time
difference would mean that one of the parties
involved would be functioning at a non-typical time
for the practice of medicine. In addition, real time
consultation usually means that a picture, usually
moving, of both the patient and the doctors involved
will be transmitted. This places great demands on
instrumentation, equipment, and transmission.
An alternative to real time is the store and for-
ward technique. With this, images are captured,
retained, and stored digitally by the individual
requesting a consultation. These stored images can
be sent immediately or at some future time.
Likewise, the individual receiving the images can
look at them immediately and answer or can view the
images stored on the server and available for viewing
and respond at some appropriate future time. The
store and forward technique has obvious advantages.
It is more convenient for both parties and demands
less capacity for transmission.
15
Moving or still
Further divisions in telemedicine techniques are
between moving images and still images. Moving
images such as would be obtained with a digital video
camera require considerably more storage space and
bandwidth for transmission. Still images in contrast
can be much smaller and therefore more easily trans-
mitted. For strabismus, the usually response is that I
can learn so much more from a moving image com-
pared to a still image that I think a moving image is
necessary. While this seems to make sense on the
surface, this has not been the case in my experience.
A consultant with considerable experience in the
management of strabismus can virtually fill in the
movement on the basis of history and evaluation
while viewing appropriate still images.
In summary, real time telemedicine while most
nearly simulating a real patient encounter is logisti-
cally difficult and, in my opinion, neither necessary
nor advisable. In some ways the insistence on real
time may have delayed acceptance of telemedicine as
a valid procedure. Moving pictures can be informa-
tive, but since they offer very little in addition to well-
taken and well-formatted still images for an experi-
enced observer, they are probably not necessary. As
a compromise, moving images can be done in short
strips which are not too difficult to store and forward
but again, in my opinion, are not really necessary.
Image size
Another question which routinely arises in the
issue of telemedicine is image size. This has to do
with the number of pixels or dots which make up a
picture. Image sizes are measured by multiplying the
horizontal and vertical dot density. For example, the
smallest image is 640 x 480 which produces. what is
considered a small picture; that is one that always
loses quality if enlarged. However, this 640x480 size
285
Chapter 15
image is the largest picture that can be imaged on a
computer screen. For telemedicine carried out on the
internet there is no need to have a denser image. The
issue is complicated by the fact that most digital cam-
eras are considered better or more valuable if they are
able to take pictures with higher pixel numbers. For
example, we see cameras with 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 or more
megapixel capacity. Of course, these pictures will be
of higher quality and will provide clearer printed pic-
tures, particularly if enlarged but they offer absolute-
ly nothing in terms of a better picture for internet-
based telemedicine conducted on a computer screen.
Actually, these pictures with high number of pixels
are a great detriment to telemedicine because they
demand so much space that transmission time is
slowed and storage space is used up. Some large
images are even blocked. For strabismus manage-
ment it is important to place the digital camera on the
lowest setting which is 640 x 480 or sometimes listed
as TV, or PC. These pictures have even been used cine diagnoses and treatment plans and it turned out
for textbook illustrations (throughout this book for
example, especially chapter. 15) and are perfectly
adequate as long as enlargements are not too great.
These low pixel pictures have the ability to cap-
ture close-up pictures that allow enough detail for
external and in some cases, even anterior segment
evaluation. We have evaluated, for example, worms
in the anterior chamber, uveitis, cataract, corneal dys-
trophies, and more.
Computer
The computer for telemedicine can have a
processor of moderate speed and a RAM of between
128 and 512 MB. An adequate RAM is 256 MB. For
the hard drive, a capacity of 20-80 gigabyte is ideal,
but lower storage capacity computers are certainly
useable since the process depends more on transmis-
sion than storage. Internet connectivity works better,
of course, with broadband connection with 100 kilo-
bytes per second, but I have used dial-up connections
at 19.2 kilobytes per second successfully. It is much
more important to use small file pictures than it is to
have an ultra fast connection.
Start of Cyber-Sight
How did I personally start with telemedicine? I
visited Havana, Cuba in 1998 with an ORBIS hospi-
tal based program. While there it occurred to me that
even with a successful 5 day visit, maintaining con-
nection with the doctors would be difficult. At a first
visit, I was able to determine specific equipment
needs. This prompted a second visit approximately
two weeks later. With additional equipment, it was
possible to complete the surgery schedule. However,
even this was unsatisfying in that there still was no
286
mechanism for follow up. At a third visit two weeks
after this, the local doctors were given a simple com-
puter, and a digital camera. The doctors were
instructed to obtain digital images of patients in the
nine diagnostic positions, plus head tilt to the right
and left, and other pictures showing head posture, etc.
They were instructed to send these pictures via email
along with a brief clinical history. At the consultants
(my) end, these pictures were arranged in an album
and then printed out as shown in the Figure 1. A diag-
nosis, suggestions for further evaluation when indi-
cated and example of a treatment plan were sent back
via email for each of these patients, but the doctors
were advised to withhold any specific treatment
based on my diagnoses and opinions.
At a fourth visit, 15 patients who had received
consultation via telemedicine were examined and a
diagnosis and treatment plan for each was arrived at
by me. These were then compared with the telemedi-
that the agreement was nearly perfect.
As a means of further confirmation, ten patient
consultation requests with the history and complete
clinical pictures were sent to a panel of ten strabismus
experts. They were asked to make a clinical diagno-
sis and suggest a treatment plan. The clinical diag-
noses agreed in more than 90% of cases and treatment
plans were virtually identical in 50% of the patients
and were similar and logical in the others. Based on
this information, the doctors in Cuba were advised to
continue to send patients and to work with the
telemedicine program regarding diagnosis and treat-
ment.
New programs using email and digital images
were then established in Romania, India, Albania, and
the Dominican Republic. By the fall of 2002, approx-
imately 2,000 communications had taken place with
the telemedicine partners. At this time, the program
was given to ORBIS International. It was adopted as
a formal ORBIS program called Cyber-Sight. In
order to facilitate the transfer of patient information,
a server-based patient submission format was estab-
lished (see Figure 2). Beginning in the spring of
2003, consultations were submitted using this format.
Between the spring of 2003 and the summer of 2005,
nearly 1,700 patients and 4,000 communications were
carried out using this new technique.
The format for patient presentation is shown in
Figure 3. This includes a greeting to the person sub-
mitting the consult and space for the patients name,
gender, birth date, visual acuity, and refraction. The
partner requesting the consultation also has the
opportunity to select from a pull-down box the sub-
specialty most appropriate for the patient. In addition
to strabismus, consultation is offered in glaucoma,
retina, cataract, neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis,
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

Figure 1 Typical case presentation using e-mail for telemedicine

Figure 2 The formatted page used for initiating a consultation with Cyber-Sight

287
Chapter 15
retinoblastoma, ophthalmic genetics, oculoplastics,
cornea, and more. In this program, the majority of the
patients, especially at the beginning, were in the cat-
egory of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.
A space below this section is reserved for a
patient history. This includes chief complaint, prior
medical history, a narrative of the measurements and
evaluation, family history, prior surgery, etc. The
next repository for information includes a series of
cartoons which allow for the uploading of 17 images.
The first nine images are of the diagnostic positions.
Below that are images of the head tilt, 45 right and
left, and notation of the patient fixing with a translu-
cent occluder placed over the right eye and then the
Figure 3
For the submission of a strabismus patient, Cyber-Sight partners are prompted to upload up to 17 images. These are low
density 640 x 480 pixel images.
288
left eye. The final four pictures are for other views
that could include head posture or other significant
characteristics of the strabismus. After these pictures
are uploaded three at a time, the submitting partner
provides a diagnosis and a tentative treatment plan
and optional further comments (Figure 3). The case
is then submitted. At this time the consulting mentor
is alerted by email. The mentor then sees a screen
which provides a complete patient presentation
including narrative and appropriate pictures (see
Figure 4). The mentor provides an answer, starting a
dialogue that could include several additional com-
munications. The case is closed eventually by the
partner.
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

Figure 4
The array of patient pictures

289
Chapter 15

The strabismus database as of the summer of Strabismus cases seen in consultation

2005 contains 1320 strabismus patients. Diagnoses
on Cyber-Sight between
of these patients are broken down in the Table 1. February, 2003 and July, 2005
I believe that with practice, an experienced stra-
bismologist can, in nearly every case, establish a cor-
rect diagnosis and offer a reasonable treatment plan Total number of cases 1320
after study of a case submitted in the Cyber-Sight for-
mat. But, the main goal of Cyber-Sight is to help the
partner develop the skills to enhance patient care, Esotropia 29%*
while learning from this experience so that this
knowledge can be applied to the next patient. About Exotropia 16%
half of the mentor responses include advice for addi-
tional workup, further tests, etc. With appropriate Unspecified vertical 7%
application, this technique of telemedicine will be
useful for diagnosis and treatment, but more impor- Superior oblique palsy 10%
tant it will also be an extremely valuable tool in the
learning process for partners in developing countries.
Third nerve palsy 9%
This technique can also increase efficiency, cut costs,
and improve the quality of care for patients in cur-
rently underserved areas. Sixth nerve palsy 4%
A selection of cases seen in consultation via
Cyber-Sight is presented in the remainder of this Duane 15%
chapter. An explanation of the format for these case
presentations is in Figure 5. Brown 6%

Strabismus after trauma 4%

100%

* These percentages represent the distribution of 663 of the

total number of cases.

Table 1

290
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

A series of pictures will include the pertinent clinical

findings of the patient presented via telemedicine.
Pictures will be numbered sequentially:
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11
12 13 14
Important strabismus measurements
And will be referred to in the text of the discussion

Strabismus consultation via telemedicine

CASE 3: V Pattern Esotropia

Measurements
20 pd ET - up
40 pd ET - primary
50 pd ET - down

ECA0022

In each case, refraction
was done after
cycloplegia unless stated
otherwise
History
3 year old boy
fixes and follows well with both eyes
refraction OD +1.50 + 1.50 x 90 OS +1,50
+1.50 x 90
The eye examination is normal except for signif-
icant fundus extorsion and the V esotropia with
4+ overaction of the inferior obliques and signif-
icant underaction of the superior obliques.
Comment
This boy has a V pattern congenital esotropia
with bilateral overaction of the inferior obliques
and underaction of the superior obliques, Also
note the antimongoloid fissures. This feature
could be associated with pulley heterotopy. In
this case the medial pulleys would be displaced
upward and the lateral pulleys displaced down-
ward. According to the pulley theory the V is
caused by the displacement of the rectus muscle
action. The V in this case would be treated
with a medial rectus recession with down shift of
the reinserted muscle. Pulley displacement must
be confirmed by coronal imaging of the mid-
orbit. The traditional treatment for a case like
this is bimedial rectus recession with bilateral
inferior oblique weakening. However, some
cases so treated have persistent overaction of the
inferior obliques. This could be caused by pul-
ley displacement. Combined inferior oblique
weakening and down shift of the recessed medial
recti could also be done. As an extreme, weak-
ening of the inferior obliques and tuck of the
superior oblique could be done, but I think that is
too much surgery.

291

Description of pertinent clinical history Consultants comments on the case

and findings at examination

Figure 5 Explanation of case discussion of patients seen in telemedicine consultation

291
Chapter 15

Telemedicine consultation cases

CASE 1 Pseudo strabismus, 293 CASE 34 Traumatic third nerve palsy, 326
CASE 2 Congenital esotropia, 294 CASE 35 Class I superior oblique palsy, 327
CASE 3 V pattern esotropia 295 CASE 36 Class II superior oblique palsy, 328
CASE 4 V pattern esotropia with amblyopia, CASE 37 Class III superior oblique palsy, 329
296 CASE 38 Class III superior oblique palsy, 330
CASE 5 V pattern esotropia, 297 CASE 39 Class III superior oblique palsy, 331
CASE 6 V pattern esotropia, 298 CASE 40 Class IV superior oblique palsy, 332
CASE 7 V pattern esotropia, 299 CASE 41 Class V superior oblique palsy, 333
CASE 8 V pattern - refractive esotropia, 300 CASE 42 Class V superior oblique palsy, 334
CASE 9 A pattern esotropia, 301 CASE 43 Class III superior oblique palsy with
CASE 10 A pattern esotropia with right pseudo ptosis, 335
hypertropia, 302 CASE 44 Superior oblique palsy - head posture
CASE 11 A pattern esotropia, 303 normalized, 336
CASE 12 A pattern esotropia with chin eleva- CASE 45 Congenital superior oblique palsy, 337
tion, 304 CASE 46 Congenital superior oblique palsy,338
CASE 13 Congenital exotropia, 305 CASE 47 Bilateral sixth nerve palsy, 339
CASE 14 Congenital exotropia with 'V' pattern, CASE 48 Bilateral sixth nerve palsy, 340
306 CASE 49 Sixth nerve palsy, 341
CASE 15 Congenital exotropia with 'V' pattern, CASE 50 Sixth and seventh nerve palsy, 342
307 CASE 51 Bilateral sixth nerve palsy, 343
CASE 16 Intermittent exotropia, 308 CASE 52 Duane class I, 344
CASE 17 Congenital exotropia, 309 CASE 53 Duane class II,345
CASE 18 A pattern, overaction of the superior CASE 54 Duane class III, 346
obliques and DVD, 310 CASE 55 Duane class III, 347
CASE 19 V pattern exotropia, 311 CASE 56 Duane class II, 348
CASE 20 X pattern exotropia, 312 CASE 57 Duane class II, 349
CASE 21 Sensory exotropia, 313 CASE 58 Duane class I (orII), 350
CASE 22 X pattern exotropia with DVD, 314 CASE 59 Duane class IV, 351
CASE 23 A pattern esotropia with DVD, 315 CASE 60 Brown, 352
CASE 24 A pattern, 316 CASE 61 Brown (three examples), 353
CASE 25 Consecutive esotropia, 317 CASE 62 Hypotropia (trauma), 354
CASE 26 Esotropia and hypotropia in a blind eye, CASE 63 Traumatic disinsertion of the inferior
318 rectus, 355
CASE 27 A pattern esotropia - mongoloid CASE 64 Third nerve palsy with aberrant
fissures, 319 regeneration, 356
CASE 28 Consecutive exotropia, 320 CASE 65 Traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhage,
CASE 29 Acquired Third nerve palsy, 321 357
CASE 30 Congenital third nerve palsy, 322 CASE 66 Conjunctival laceration, 357
CASE 31 Acquired third nerve palsy, 323 CASE 67 Dissociated vertical deviation (two
CASE 32 Bilateral congenital third nerve palsy, examples), 357
324 CASE 68 Heimann-Bielschowsky phenomenon,
CASE 33 Acquired third nerve palsy, 325 358

292

CASE 1: Pseudo strabismus
History
This six month old girl was presented by her par-
ents because they were concerned about the eyes
turning in. She is otherwise healthy and there is no
family history of strabismus. The eye examination is
normal and cycloplegic refraction is OD +1.00 D and
OS 1.00 D.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
Orthotropic by light reflex
GUM0060
Comment
In a case like this it is difficult to do a cover test
to confirm the alignment. In place of a cover test it is
important to observe the corneal light reflex. If the
light reflex is in the center of the pupil it is likely that
the eyes are aligned in spite of the apparent esotropia
that is caused by the wide nasal skin folds obliterating
view of the nasal conjunctiva. Pulling the skin over
the bridge of the nose forward will have an instant
straightening effect, but it usually causes an infant
to become fussy. It is difficult to photograph, but it
can be shown to parents. In a case like this, it is
important to do a thorough eye examination and to
offer the family a plan to follow this infant.
293
Chapter 15

CASE 2: Congenital esotropia

Measurements
40 pd ET - primary

AL0004

History
6 month old boy
Vision: fixes and follows with both eyes
Refraction: OD +1.00
OS +1.00
This six month old boy was noted by his parents
to have crossed eyes beginning shortly after birth.
The pregnancy and delivery were normal. He is
developing normally. The eye examination is normal
except for the esotropia.
Comment
The diagnosis of congenital esotropia is straight-
forward. This infant fits the criteria for this diagno-
sis. The deviation is constant, 40 prism diopters and
the child is over four months of age. The pictures
indicate the likelihood of cross fixation, but it is the
examiners responsibility to demonstrate the infant's
willingness to take up fixation with either eye to rule
out amblyopia, and to confirm abduction in both eyes.
At this time a V pattern (rarely an A) is looked for.
The presence of manifest or latent nystagmus is also
noted. Picture 7 shows fairly good abduction in the
right eye and picture 8 shows excellent abduction in
the left eye. These ductions are best demonstrated
with the doll's head maneuver (see p. 85). This child
is a candidate for surgery. In my hands this would be
a bimedial rectus recession putting the muscles back
10 to 10.5 mm from the limbus (or an appropriate
amount from the insertion).

294

CASE 3: V pattern esotropia
History
3 year old boy
Vision: fixes and follows well with both eyes
Refraction: OD +1.50 +1.50 x 90 degrees
OS +1.50 +1.50 x 90degrees
The eye examination is normal except for signif-
icant fundus extorsion and the V esotropia with 4+
overaction of the inferior obliques and significant
underaction of the superior obliques.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
20 pd ET - up
40 pd ET - primary
50 pd ET - down
ECA0022
Comment
This boy has a V pattern congenital esotropia
with bilateral overaction of the inferior obliques and
underaction of the superior obliques, Also note the
antimongoloid fissures. This feature could be associ-
ated with pulley heterotopy. In this case the medial
pulleys would be displaced upward and the lateral
pulleys displaced downward. According to the pulley
theory, the V is caused by the vertical displacement
of the horizontal rectus muscle action, relatively
weakening them in the direction of the displacement.
The V in this case would be treated with a medial
rectus recession with down shift. Pulley displace-
ment must be confirmed by coronal imaging of the
mid-orbit, but this is not readily available at this time
because of cost, availability, and patient cooperation.
The traditional treatment for a case like this is bime-
dial rectus recession with bilateral inferior oblique
weakening. However, some cases treated this way
have persistent overaction of the inferior obliques.
This could result from unrecognized, or untreated,
pulley displacement contributing to the vertical
incomitance. Combined inferior oblique weakening
and down shift of the recessed medial recti could also
be done. As an extreme, weakening of the inferior
obliques and tuck of the superior oblique, if they are
loose, could be done along with bimedial rectus
recession, but I think that is too much surgery for this
boy.
295
Chapter 15

CASE 4: V pattern esotropia with amblyopia

Measurements
50 pd ET - up
60 pd ET - primary
70 pd ET - down

EC0024

History
12 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/200, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +.50
OS +.25
This 12 year old girl has deep amblyopia in the
right eye that has been refractory to patching. A mild
V pattern is present with moderate overaction of the
inferior obliques and underaction of the superior
obliques. Except for the strabismus and amblyopia
the eye examination was normal including a normal
fundus exam.
Comment
Of course, the amblyopia treatment should be
continued if at all possible. However, the odds of
success are reduced as the child grows older for rea-
sons of cooperation if not for reasons related to the
amblyopia itself.
In order to avoid surgery on the better seeing eye
and still deal with the V pattern, this child could
benefit from recession of the right medial rectus with
one half muscle width down shift and resection of the
right lateral rectus with one half muscle width up
shift. Another option would be bimedial rectus
recession with bilateral inferior oblique weakening,
but this would require surgery on the normal seeing
eye and is not a good idea. The recession and resec-
tion should both be maximum.

296

CASE 5: V pattern esotropia
History
4 year boy
Vision: OD 20/40, OS 20/40
Refraction: OD + 3.00
OS + 3.00 (wears glasses but they have
little effect on the angle)
This boy was noted to have crossed eyes since
shortly after birth. His health is good and there is no
family history of strabismus. The eye examination
was normal except for the strabismus. The superior
obliques appear to underact to a greater degree than
the inferior obliques overact.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
40 pd ET - up
40 pd ET - primary
60 pd ET - down
DR-Aybar0016
Comment
This pattern of V esotropia demonstrates under-
action of the superior obliques to a greater degree than
the overaction of the inferior obliques. Pictures 3 and
5 show only mild strabismus surso-adductorius or
elevation in adduction. This boy has normal palpe-
bral fissure configuration suggesting that there is no
pulley heterotopy. The superior oblique traction test
may demonstrate a lax tendon. This would suggest
that a superior oblique tuck along with a bimedial rec-
tus recession placing the medial recti 10 to 10.5 mm
from the limbus or an appropriate distance from the
insertion would be appropriate. However, most sur-
geons would weaken the antagonist inferior obliques
even in the presence of a lax tendon.
297
Chapter 15
CASE 6: V pattern esotropia
History
3 year old boy
Vision: OD poor fixation, OS fixes and follows
Refraction: OD +2.00
OS +2.00
This boy has amblyopia of the right eye V pat-
tern, overaction of the inferior obliques, and underac-
tion of the superior obliques. The remainder of the
eye examination is within normal limits. He also
demonstrates chin depression preferring up gaze
where his eyes are aligned, this in spite of the ambly-
opia in the right eye.
298
Measurements
Ortho - up
35 pd ET - primary
55 pd ET - down
DRD0021
Comment
This boy has a V pattern which goes from ortho
in up gaze to 55 prism diopters of esotropia in down
gaze. The inferior oblique overaction and superior
oblique underaction are apparent. With the ambly-
opia in the right eye note in picture 4 that the adduct-
ed left eye takes up fixation so that the strabismus sur-
soadductorius or elevation in adduction is manifested
as a hypotropia of the abducted eye. The first order
of treatment is to deal with the amblyopia. Then sur-
gical treatment could consist of weakening of the
inferior obliques along with a moderate medial rectus
recession with down shift. This down shift is because
of the likelihood of pulley heterotopy suspected
because of the slight antimongoloid fissure.

CASE 7: V pattern esotropia
History
13 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD +1.50 +0.75 x 90 degrees
OS +2.00 +0.50 x 90 degrees
This girl has very big overaction of the inferior
obliques and underaction of the superior obliques. A
moderate esotropia in the primary position actually
becomes and exodeviation in up gaze. The down
gaze deviation is a larger esotropia.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
10 pd XT - up
20 pd ET - primary
45 pd ET - down
HAN0061
Comment
At surgery this girl should have a careful superi-
or oblique traction test. If the tendons are loose or
lax, a bilateral superior oblique tuck could be done
along with a moderate bimedial rectus recession mov-
ing the medial recti 8.5 mm from the limbus or an
appropriate amount from the insertion. For those not
inclined to do a superior oblique tuck, bilateral inferi-
or oblique weakening could be done. It is important
in cases like this to perform the superior oblique trac-
tion test even if you would have no intention of doing
a superior oblique tuck. Only by doing this test will
you get a feel for what is normal and what is abnor-
mal.
299
Chapter 15

CASE 8: V pattern esotropia - refractive esotropia

Measurements
5 pd XT - up
30 pd ET (14 pd ET with Rx)
- primary
50 pd ET - down

RO - CHB0005

History
6 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/25
Refraction: OD +4.50 +1.00 x 100 degrees
OS +4.50 +1.00 x 80 degrees
This girl has an esotropia somewhat responsive
to her hyperopic correction plus a V pattern with
inferior oblique overaction superior oblique underac-
tion and antimongoloid fissures suggestive of possi-
ble pulley heterotopy.
Comment
Since the esodeviation is only 14 prism diopters
in the primary position with glasses, only a single
medial rectus should be recessed to 8.5 mm from the
limbus or an appropriate amount from the insertion.
For the V pattern two options are possible. Either
the inferior obliques can be weakened or lax superior
oblique tendons, if found at traction testing, can be
tucked. In addition, the recessed medial rectus can be
displaced downward 14 muscle width and the other
medial rectus also moved down 14 muscle width
without recessing it. Extreme V pattern with
evidence of pulley heterotopy suggests the possible
need for a double procedure to treat the V. This is
the type of case that could have persistent inferior
oblique overaction after proper weakening has been
done. The reason for this could be superior oblique
tendon laxity occurring on a congenital basis.

300

CASE 9: A pattern esotropia
History
11 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +1.00
O S +1.00
This girl demonstrates an A pattern with an
esotropia in upgaze and a large exotropia in
downgaze. Very evident mongoloid fissures are also
present. What is usually called overaction of the
superior obliques is also present
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
35 pd ET - up
20 pd ET - primary
55 pd ET - down
DRD0014
Comment
This girl demonstrates vertical incomitance that
changes from esotropia in primary position and
upgaze to large angle exotropia in down gaze. This
is present along with pronounced mongoloid fissures.
The exotropia in down gaze seems to be caused by the
exaggerated abducting action of the superior oblique
muscles. This behavior is likely to be caused by
downward displacement of the medial pulleys and
upward displacement of the lateral pulleys as would
be expected to occur with a mongoloid fissure.
Treatment in this case could be:
1) Recession of both medial rectus muscles to
10.0 mm from the limbus or an appropriate
amount from the insertion with 1/2 muscle
width upshift
2) Recession of both lateral rectus muscles 5.0
mm with 1/2 muscle width downshift
Some surgeons might choose bilateral superior
oblique weakening with tenectomy or recession com-
bined with a bimedial rectus recession with or without
upshift
301
Chapter 15

CASE 10: A pattern esotropia with right hypertropia

Measurements
60 pd ET - up
50 pd ET 25 pd R hyper -
primary
20 pd ET - down

DRR0015

History
23 year old female
Vision: OD 20/50, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano -1.50 x 180 degrees
OS +1.00 -1.00 x 180 degrees
This woman has had an esotropia since birth.
She has a mild amblyopia in the right eye, and a right
hypertropia. The oblique muscles do not overact and
the palpebral fissures are normal.
Comment
A surgical plan for this woman could avoid sur-
gery on the oblique muscles and include the follow-
ing:
1) Right eye: recess the medial to 10.0 mm from
the limbus or an equivalent from the insertion
with 1/2 muscle width upshift and recess the
superior rectus 5.0 mm
2) Left eye: recess the medial rectus 10.0 mm
from the limbus or an equivalent amount from
the insertion with 1/2 muscle width upshift
and resect the lateral rectus 6.0 mm with 1/2
muscle width downshift.
Even though there is no fissure obliquity sug-
gesting pulley heterotopy the fact that the obliques do
not appear to be overacting suggests that vertical dis-
placement of the horizontal recti would be best.

302
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 11: A pattern esotropia

Measurements
80 pd ET - up
75 pd ET - primary
40 pd ET - down

DRR0017

History
11 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +1.00 -1.50 x 180 degrees
O S +1.50 -0.75 x 180 degrees
This boy developed an esotropia about age 5
years according to his parents. The A pattern is pres-
ent without apparent superior oblique overaction or
inferior oblique underaction. There is no explanation
why the deviation started so late.
Comment
Treatment of this A pattern could consist of the
following:
1) Bimedial rectus recession to 11.0 mm from
the limbus or equivalent distance from the
insertion with 1/2 muscle width upshift
2) Bilateral lateral rectus resection 5 or 6 mm
with 1/2 muscle width downshift
The patient should be tested for optokinetic
asymmetry to determine if the likely etiology is con-
genital esotropia

303
Chapter 15

CASE 12: A esotropia with chin elevation

Measurements
40 pd ET - up
30 pd ET - primary
20 pd E(T) - down

ECA0026

History
34 year old male
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD -0.50 -0.50 x 171 degrees
OS plano -0.75 x 180 degrees
Fuses: Worth four-lights in down gaze; no stereopsis
measured
This man suffers from chronic neck ache from
holding his chin up and looking down to avoid
diplopia. He has an A pattern esotropia. He avoids
diplopia with the head posture and even demonstrates
some fusion ability in down gaze. To avoid double
vision he pays the price of physical discomfort.
Comment
A logical treatment plan for this man includes:
1) Bimedial rectus recession 11.0 mm from the
limbus or equivalent amount measured from
the insertion
2) Upshift of the recessed medial rectus muscles
1/2 to 3/4 muscle width.
Postoperative pictures show the man with an
improved head posture.

304
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 13: Congenital exotropia

Measurements
60 pd XT - up
60 pd XT - primary
60 pd XT - down

DRR0018

History Comment
10 month old boy Treatment of congenital exotropia in this case
Vision: fixes and follows well with each eye can be managed with a bilateral lateral rectus reces-
Refraction: OD +1.50 sion of 7.0 mm. To this could be added a moderate
O S +1.50 resection of one medial rectus.

This 10 month old boy has congenital exotropia.

His past medical history is unremarkable and the eye
examination is normal except for the exotropia.

305
Chapter 15
CASE 14: Congenital exotropia V pattern
History
3 year old boy
Vision: fixes and follows well with both eyes
Refraction: OD +1.00 -2.00 x 90 degrees
O S +1.00 -0.50 x 90 degrees
The family noted an exodeviation at 3 months. The
childs general health is good and the eye examina-
tion is normal except for the V pattern exotropia.
There is significant overaction of the inferior
obliques.
306
Measurements
90 pd XT - up
70 pd XT - primary
50 pd XT - down
DRR0034
Comment
This large angle V pattern congenital exotropia
could be treated with the following:
1) Bilateral lateral rectus recession 7.5 mm
2) Resect one medial rectus muscle 5.0 mm
3) Bilateral inferior oblique weakening
The recessed lateral rectus muscles could also be
shifted up 1/2 muscle width and the resected medial
rectus muscle shifted down 1/2 muscle width and the
inferior oblique weakening omitted.

CASE 15: Congenital exotropia V pattern
History
5 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano -0.75 x 180
OS plano -0.75 x 180
This 5 year old boy started with an intermittent
exotropia which gradually became constant. There is
moderate overaction of the inferior obliques with a
V pattern. The remainder of the eye examination is
within normal limits. The child is otherwise healthy.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
70 pd XT - up
50 pd XT - primary
50 pd XT - down
DRR0013
Comment
This may be an example of an intermittent exotropia
progressing to a constant exotropia over time. Some
surgeons feel strongly about operating earlier on
exodeviations in infants and toddlers to avoid this.
The surgical treatment for this would be:
1) Large bilateral lateral rectus recession 7.0 to 8.0
mm with 1/4 muscle width up shift - or
2) Recession one lateral rectus 7.0 to 8.0 mm with 1/4
muscle width upshift and resection one medial rec-
tus 7.0 mm with 1/4 muscle width down shift.
307
Chapter 15
CASE 16: Intermittent exotropia
History
13 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 (with correction)
Refraction: OD -3.00 -1.00 x 165 degrees
OS -1.00 2.00 x 20 degrees
Fuses: 9/9 stereo (40 sec.)
This girl has been noted by her parents and her
friends to have an eye that wanders out when she is
tired or when she is day dreaming. She habitually
closes one in bright sunlight. The girl has no aware-
ness of this unless it is called to her attention. She is
symptom free.
308
Measurements
30 pd X(T) - up
20 pd X(T) - primary
15 pd X(T) - down
AL0014
Comment
This is a straightforward case of intermittent
exotropia. There is no urgent need for surgery, but on
the other hand it could be done at any time. A bilat-
eral lateral rectus recession of 5.0 to 6.0 mm with 1/2
muscle width up shift would be sufficient. In the
event that surgery is not done at this time, regular fol-
low up at no longer than 6 month intervals is recom-
mended.

CASE 17: Congenital exotropia
History
16 month old girl
Vision: fixes and follows well with both eyes
Refraction: OD + 2.00
OS + 2.00
This child was brought to the ophthalmologist at
age 10 months with the complaint that one eye was
drifting outward. Pictures from the newborn nursery
show that the eyes appeared to be aligned or possibly
converged.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
25 pd XT - primary
ECX0032
Comment
This child will benefit from surgery. This could
be a moderate bilateral lateral rectus recession with
the muscles recessed 5.0 or 6.0 mm with a 1/2 muscle
width upshift to treat the V pattern. It is very possi-
ble that this treatment could result in normal or near
normal binocularity if this deviation did begin as an
intermittent exotropia.
309
Chapter 15

CASE 18: A pattern, overaction of the superior obliques,

and DVD

Measurements
ortho - up
20 pd XT - primary
45 pd XT - down

ECA0023

History Comment
11 year old girl Study of these pictures reveals some interesting
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 findings. The motility looks normal in pictures 1-6
Refraction: OD plano +2.75 x 65 degrees with a small XT in the primary position, right and left
OS plano +3.50 x 115degrees gaze and eyes nearly aligned in up gaze. However in
Stereo: nil pictures 7-8-9 we see overaction of the superior
obliques and a big A pattern. Added to this in pic-
This girl had a bimedial rectus recession for con- tures 10 and 11 we see DVD. This is the triad: A
genital esotropia at age 9 months. At age 3 years the pattern, overaction of the superior obliques , and
mother noticed the eyes beginning to deviate mostly DVD. In this case I believe the DVD is a carry over
outward. of congenital ET and the A pattern is due to the
superior obliques abducting action influenced by the
retroplacement of the medial recti. Surgical options
for this patient include: 1) bilateral superior rectus
recession for the DVD 2) advancement of one medial
rectus for the primary position XT and to reduce the
down gaze XT by altering the Superior oblique
action. As an alternative a small recession of one or
both lateral rectus muscles with downshift 1/2 muscle
width could be done. In this case I think it is impor-
tant to avoid the temptation of doing a bilateral supe-
rior oblique weakening procedure. I say this because
I believe that the superior obliques are allowed to
manifest their abducting action because of the posi-
tion of the globe resulting from the medial rectus
recession.

310
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 19: V Pattern exotropia

Measurements
95 pd XT - up
45 pd XT - primary
ortho - down

DRR0045

History
17 year old female
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +0.75
OS +1.00
This patient has a huge V pattern with what we
call overaction of the inferior obliques. Note in pic-
tures 3 and 5 that adduction is limited and that in lat-
eroversions the eyes move up and abduct as though
the inferior obliques were exerting their seconday
action of abduction. In addition there is a moderate
antimongoloid fissure suggesting that the medial pul-
leys may be dislocated upward and the lateral pulleys
downward! In spite of having eyes that are aligned
in far down gaze, this patient demonstrates no fusion
and has no diplopia. No prior surgery had been done.
Comment
Surgery in this case could included the follow-
ing:
1) Bilateral lateral rectus recession 7.0 or 8.0 mm
with 1/2 to one full muscle width upshift
2) Resection one medial rectus 8.0 mm with 1/2
muscle width downshift
3) Bilateral inferior oblique weakening (myecto-
my or recession)
As with any case where pulley heterotopy is sus-
pected, coronal imaging of the orbit with CT or MRI
would aid in the diagnosis and plan, but expense and
availability make this impractical at this time.

311
Chapter 15

CASE 20: X pattern exotropia

Measurements
80 pd XT - up
50 pd XT - primary
75 pd XT - down

DRR0051

History
14 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano
OS plano
Stereo: nil
This girl has had an exotropia since age 1 year.
The angle in the primary position is large, 50 prism
diopters but it is even larger in both up and down
gaze. Note that in pictures 3 and 5 there is no appar-
ent elevation in adduction, the usual sign of oblique
overaction. The eyes take off while moving up or
down demonstrating the secondary abducting action
of both the inferior and superior obliques creating
what is called an X pattern.
Comment
With an X pattern like this only horizontal sur-
gery is required. There is no need to weaken all of the
obliques as has been suggested. Surgery could
include the following:
1) Bilateral lateral rectus recession 7.5 mm
2) Resection of one medial rectus 6.0 mm
If the surgeon chooses, one of the muscles could
be placed on an adjustable suture. If this were done,
I would elect the lateral rectus in the eye not having
the medial rectus resection.

312
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 21: Sensory exotropia

Measurements
35 pd XT - up
30 pd XT - primary
35 pd XT - down

DR-Aybar0013

History Comment
6 year old girl Because of the poor vision in the left eye, surgery
Vision: OD 20/70, OS counts fingers for the exotropia should be limited to this eye. A
Refraction: OD +2.50 -3.00 x 180 degrees recession of the left lateral rectus muscle of 7.5 mm
OS -10.00 sph. and a resection of the left medial rectus of 5.0 mm
would be safe and not likely to produce an over cor-
This girl has a dense amblyopia in the left eye rection.
probably because of the high anisomyopia. It would
be a good idea to check the axial length of the left eye
and also to take a careful look at the retina. This girl
could develop the heavy eye complication of high
myopia in later years. I do not know a way of keep-
ing this from happening.

313
Chapter 15

CASE 22: X pattern exotropia with DVD

Measurements
70 pd XT - up
60 pd XT - primary
95 pd XT - down
20 pd L hyper OD fix
30 pd R hyper OS fix

DRR0036

History
34 year old female
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/70
Refraction: OD -0.5 -0.50 x 90 degrees
OS -0.50 sph
This woman has had a life long exotropia which
has increased in the past 5 years. She would like to
improve her appearance and is eager to have surgical
correction for the exodeviation.
Comment
This is a large angle with, an X pattern and the
patient also has DVD. The DVD is manifest and the
patient states that this bothers her. A possible surgical
approach is the following:
1) Bilateral lateral recession 8.0 mm
2) Vessel sparing tuck of the left medial rectus
(6.0 mm)
3) Bilateral superior rectus recession 6 mm OD
and 5.0 mm OS)
The medial rectus tuck is suggested to avoid sev-
ering the anterior ciliary vessels of three rectus mus-
cles in one eye.(see p. 211) An adjustable suture
could also be added to the recession of the left lateral
rectus.

314

CASE 23: A pattern esotropia with DVD
History
5 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/25
Refraction: OD +2.00 sph
OS +2.00 sph
This child has had an esodeviation noted by the
parents since about for months of age. He demon-
strates a mild A pattern and has a left hyperdeviation
that behaves like dissociated vertical deviation
(DVD). The right eye is said to also demonstrate a
hyperdeviation but only under cover, a small amount,
and with a rapid recovery when the cover is removed.
This could not be captured with a picture. In contrast,
the left hyperdeviation is becoming manifest more
often according to the parents.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
20 pd XT - up
5 pd XT - primary
25 pd XT - down
DVD both eyes
OS >> than OD
DR0003
Comment
This patient presents a challenge when it comes
to arriving at a plan for surgery. The primary position
deviation is small, hardly noticeable and the DVD
seems to be manifest in only one eye with the other
eye never being seen up except under cover and then
only a small amount. A logical plan would be:
1) Move both medial rectus muscles up 3/4 mus-
cle width without recession (being careful to
offset any resection effect resulting from
suture placement) or move both lateral recti
down taking the same precaution.
2) Recess the left superior rectus 4.0 to 5.0 mm.
Watch for a manifest hyperdeviation from the DVD
occurring later in the right eye.
315
Chapter 15
CASE 24: A pattern
History
9 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/30, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD +2.25 -1.00 x 180 degrees
OS +1.75 -1.25 x 180 degrees
Fuses: stereo fly (3,000 sec.)
This boy is having difficulty in school with read-
ing and doing work at the board. His handwriting is
said to be terrible. The parents deny any abnormal
head posture. He was not observed at this examina-
tion to assume a chin down posture that would be
expected in this type of strabismus. There is what is
described as overaction of the superior obliques. The
boy is otherwise healthy and there is no family histo-
ry of strabismus.
316
Measurements
ortho - up
ortho - primary
50 pd XT - down
GUM0039
Comment
A patient like this who has some fusion but who
is very troubled by an A pattern with overaction of
the superior obliques raises the question, is it safe to
weaken the superior obliques in a fusing patient?.
This can be done, but it could be risky because it
is difficult to perform symmetrical weakening of the
superior oblique. There is always the chance of cre-
ating a postoperative vertical deviation that would
spoil fusion. In this case the two choices for surgery
are;
1) Down shift of the lateral recti without reces-
sion
2) Bilateral weakening of the superior obliques
Another option that I have not done is bilateral nasal-
ward shift of the inferior rectus muscles.
This case differs rom case 59 in chapter 16 in that
the boy is having a great deal of trouble in school.

CASE 25: Consecutive esotropia
History
42 year old male
Vision: OD 20/30, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD +1.25
OS +0.75
This man has a history of what appears to be con-
genital esotropia. He had a bimedial rectus recession
at age 22. Because of a residual esotropia he later
underwent bilateral lateral rectus resection. This
resulted in a large angle consecutive exotropia.
Because of apparent thin sclera medially a bilateral
lateral rectus recession (of the previously resected
muscles) was done. The right lateral rectus was
recessed 10.0 mm and the left lateral rectus was
recessed 7.0 mm. This resulted in 35 prism diopters
of esotropia. The patient (and the surgeon) are eager
to have the eyes aligned.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Post op.
Measurements
post op primary 35 pd ET
Pre op primary 45 pd XT
Pre op.
ROL0059
Comment
The surgery for the consecutive exotropia avoid-
ed the medial recti because of what was thought to be
thin sclera. This surgery for the consecutive esotropia
could do likewise. A surgical option for this case
would be advancement of the of previously resected
and later recessed lateral recti. This advancement
could be done with a tandem adjustable suture placed
on one of the advanced muscles. My recommenda-
tion is that the lateral rectus muscles be advanced 6.0
or 7.0 mm. With the tandem adjustable suture, the
muscle would be strengthened the maximum
amount that could be anticipated. The second or tan-
dem suture could be used to weaken the muscle by
hanging it back if needed.
317
Chapter 15
CASE 26: Exotropia and hypertropia in a blind eye
History
42 year old female
Vision: OD 20/20, OD light perception
Refraction: OD plano
OS +8.50
This woman had a traumatic cataract of the left
eye removed as a child. She never regained good
vision. Shortly after she had an intraocular tumor
removed from the superior aspect of the left eye.
Now she has an exotropia and hypertropia of the left
eye. She would like to have her eyes straightened.
318
Measurements
30 pd XT, 10 L hyper - up
35 pd XT 25 L hyper -
primary
55 pd XT 25 L hyper - down
DR-Aybar0003
Comment
Aligning a non-seeing eye is a legitimate under-
taking using the dictum every humans has the right
to look like a human. Surgery should be restricted
whenever possible to the poorer seeing eye. In this
case it is wise to avoid the left superior rectus
because of concerns about thin retina as a result of
prior tumor surgery in the area. A logical choice for
surgery would be:
1) Recession of the left lateral rectus 8.0 mm
with 1/2 muscle width down shift
2) Resection of the left medial rectus 8.0 mm
with 1/2 muscle width downshift
3) Left inferior oblique weakening (myectomy
or recession)
The downshift of both of the horizontal recti in
the left eye will have some effect on lowering the
hyper deviated left eye. The inferior oblique is not the
most effective muscle to weaken for treating this kind
of hyperdeviation, but there is very little downside in
this case. If needed a left levator resection could be
done after the results of the muscle surgery are
known.
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 27: A pattern exotropia, mongoloid fissures

Measurements
60 pd XT - up
70 pd XT - primary
95 pd XT - down

DRR0035

History
29 year old male
Vision: OD 20/25, OD 20/20
Refraction: OD +2.00 -1.50 x 15
OS +1.50 -1.25 x 180
This man has a life long history of exotropia. He
had surgery for this at age 3 years but there is no
record of what was done. He would like to have his
eyes straightened now. He has no double vision or
other visual symptoms.
Comment
The obvious mongoloid fissures suggest the pos-
sibility of pulley heterotopy contributing to the A
pattern. Disregarding the first surgery, at least for
now, a logical surgical plan would be the following:
1) Recess both lateral rectus muscles 8.0 mm
with 1/2 muscle width downshift
2) Resect both medial recti 8.0 mm width 1/2
muscle width upshift.
One of the lateral rectus muscles could be placed
on an adjustable suture.

319
Chapter 15
CASE 28: Consecutive exotropia
History
27 year old male
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD plano +0.75 x 90 degrees
OS plano +0.50 x 80 degrees
This man had surgery for congenial esotropia at
age 4 years according to history obtained from the
patient. Scars over the medial aspect of the globe
support this. He denies double vision. Adduction is
limited in both eyes, more so in the right. The patient
would like to have his eyes aligned and is eager for
surgery.
320
Measurements
60 pd XT - up
45 pd XT - primary
65 pd XT - down
ROD0047
Comment
The best option for surgery in a case like this is
advancement and resection of the previously recessed
medial rectus muscles. This presents the challenge of
finding the muscles that in this case are likely to be
easily found because adduction is present though
diminished. When advancing previously recessed
muscles, it is the rule to find them stiff making it
impossible to pull them up to the original insertion.
Given this, it is useful to combine resection with
advancement arriving at a surgical number that is a
combination of the two. In this case; for example, 8.0
mm of surgery on each medial rectus muscle could
mean a 5 mm advancement and a 3.0 mm resection.
In this case it might be prudent to place one of the
muscles on an adjustable suture.

CASE 29: Third nerve palsy
History
30 year old male
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano
OS plano
This man sustained closed head injury in an auto
accident 9 months earlier. He was comatose for 2
days. His motility has remained stable since that time
with a large right exotropia and hypotropia, with pto-
sis of the right upper lid. The right pupil responds to
light and accommodation. When he raises his lid, he
sees double. The Bell phenomenon is absent.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
60 pd XT and
15 pd R hypo -
primary position
HAN0148
Comment
This case demonstrates complete third nerve
palsy with pupil sparing and without aberrant regen-
eration. The only extraocular muscles functioning in
the right eye are the lateral rectus and the superior
oblique. The action of these muscles drives the eye
downward with incycloduction and out. Surgical
treatment would include:
1) Large recession of the right lateral rectus of
10+mm, disinsertion, or attachment to the lat-
eral periostium
2) Transposition of the right superior oblique to
the superior border of the insertion of the right
medial rectus holding the eye in slight adduc-
tion and done without fracture of the trochlea.
3) Brow suspension of the right upper lid, under-
correcting to avoid corneal exposure.
321
Chapter 15
CASE 30: Congenital third nerve palsy
History
11 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/200
Refraction: OD plano
OS plano
This girl has had the left eye down and out with
ptosis since birth. The pupil in the left eye remains
reactive. A dense amblyopia is present in the left eye.
No prior treatment for the amblyopia had been given.
The lids are being held up to show motility in down
gaze. No aberrant regeneration of the levator or the
other extraocular muscle is seen.
322
Measurements
35 pd XT
15 pd L Hypo
HAN0172
Comment
An attempt at patching the right eye for treatment
of the amblyopia would be a good place to start. This
would require that the girl assume a chin up and face
turn to the right. However, this treatment has a possi-
ble downside. At present she has no diplopia. If
amblyopia treatment improves vision in the left eye
sufficiently to make it difficult to suppress, then the
patient will be bothered by diplopia when her eyes are
better aligned and the left upper lid is raised at sur-
gery.
Surgery in this case would be:
1) Maximum recession of the left lateral rectus
2) Transfer of the left superior oblique tendon to
the superior border of the left medial rectus
without fracture of the trochlea.
3) frontalis suspension of the left upper lid in a
slightly under corrected position to protect the
left cornea.

CASE 31: Acquired third nerve palsy
History
30 year old female
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano -1.50 x 10
OS plano -1.50 x 10
This woman suffered a cerebral hemorrhage
when giving birth one year ago. Her right eye is
down and out with evidence of only the right lateral
and right superior oblique muscles functioning. The
right pupil is slightly dilated, but the right levator
palpebri seems to function normally. This woman is
bothered by constant diplopia. She has had no other
signs or symptoms from the apparent stroke. There
is no evidence of aberrant regeneration.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
45 pd XT
5 R hypo primary
ROL0089
Comment
In this case of partial third nerve palsy without
aberrant regeneration, there appears to be some func-
tion of the right medial rectus. For this reason the fol-
lowing could be reasonable surgical option:
1) Large recession of the right lateral rectus
2) Large resection of the right medial rectus
3) Tenectomy of the right superior oblique
In addition both the medial and lateral rectus mus-
cles could be shifted up 1/2 muscle width.
323
Chapter 15

CASE 32: Bilateral congenital third nerve palsy

Measurements
80 pd XT

HANOI0035

History Comment
20year old male With absent adduction, elevation, and depression
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 even without lid and pupil involvement, this appears
Refraction: OD -0.50 to be bilateral congenital third nerve palsy. However,
O S -0.75 since there appears to be telecanthus present, the inter
canthal distance should be measured. If this distance
This man was presented for consultation with a is more than 1/2 the value of the pupillary distance,
presumptive diagnosis of bilateral third nerve palsy telecanthus with the strong possibility of a midline
with sparing of the lids and pupils. defect can be suspected. Imaging with a CT scan
should be obtained. If a midline defect were seen, it
would not necessarily change the treatment, but it is
information that should be known.
Surgery in this case would be large bilateral lat-
eral rectus recession and bilateral superior oblique
tendon transfer to the medial rectus insertion without
trochlear fracture. However this would depend on
findings after additional work up that could possibly
demonstrate missing muscles and more.

324
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 33: Acquired third nerve palsy

Measurements
50 pd XT
20 L Hypo

RO0042

History Comment
14 year old girl This is another example of third nerve palsy with
Vision: OD20/20, OS 20/40 the typical findings of the affected eye being down
Refraction: OD -0.50 and out with ptosis and in this case a dilated pupil.
OS -1.25 This girl is fortunate to have both good vision in the
involved eye and no diplopia. As in other cases
This girl suffered encephalitis at age 1 year. described, this girl would benefit from a large left lat-
After that she developed a left third nerve palsy that eral rectus recession, transfer of the left superior
has remained unchanged until the present. She denies oblique to the medial rectus insertion without fracture
diplopia, but has retained good vision in the left eye. of the trochlea, and frontalis suspension of the left
upper lid with a slight under correction to protect the
cornea.

325
Chapter 15

CASE 34: Traumatic third nerve palsy

Measurements
10 pd ET
15 R hypo primary

DRR0070

History Comment
34 year old male This case will definitely benefit from a CT scan
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/15 of the orbit. This is necessary to determine whether
Refraction: OD plano +1.25 x 90 degrees or not a blowout fracture is present. This could
OS plano +1.25 x 90 degrees account for the limited elevation. There also remains
the possibility of there being two problems, a partial
This man suffered severe head trauma in a motor third nerve palsy and a blowout fracture of the right
vehicle accident. He presents with a right eye that is orbit. No treatment plan can be formulated until fur-
down, but not necessarily out! Some of the features ther evaluation is completed.
of a third nerve palsy are present. The right eye is
hypotropic, elevation is restricted, there is some pto-
sis, and the right pupil is dilated. Also there appears
to be some lid elevation of the right eye on down
gaze. However the right eye adducts well, and there
is more depression than can be attributed to the supe-
rior oblique acting as the sole right eye depressor.

326
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 35: Class I superior oblique palsy

AL0012

History Comment
11 year old female In cases of class I superior oblique palsy with a
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 maximum hyperdeviation of no greater than 25 prism
Refraction: OD +1.50 diopters weakening of the antagonist inferior oblique
OS +1.50 is effective. The left hyperdeviation in left head tilt,
Motility: picture 11 (positive Bielschowsky test) is difficult to
appreciate in the pictures because the patient is fixing
with the left eye resulting in a less noticable right
25 LHT* 10 LHT* 8 LHT* hypotropia with the lid following the globe to further
obscure the difference in the level of the eyes.
20 LHT 15 LHT 10 LHT

8 LHT 5 LHT 6 LHT

* A moderate XT measured in upper fields

Right Tilt 10 LHT

Left Tilt 20 LHT

Head posture: right head tilt
Fusion: stereo acuity 100 sec.
Double maddox rod: no torsion

327
Chapter 15

CASE 36: Class II superior oblique palsy

HAN0014

History Comment
30 year old male This man began noticing occasional diplopia one
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 year ago. He denies any trauma. His health is good
Refraction: OD plano and his eye examination is otherwise normal. The
OS plano most significant motility feature is underaction of the
Motility: left superior oblique. The greatest vertical deviation is
in the field of action of the paretic superior oblique.
This results in a Class II superior oblique palsy. If at
5 LHT 5 LHT 0 surgery a lax left superior oblique tendon were found,
a small tuck could be done. If the superior oblique
15 LHT 20 LHT 5 LHT traction test were normal, a weakening of the yoke to
the left superior oblique, the right inferior rectus
20 LHT 20 LHT 20 LHT could be effective.

Right Tilt 2 LHT

Left Tilt 10 LHT

Head posture: right head tilt

Fusion: stereo acuity 40 seconds
Double maddox rod: 5 excyclo OS

328
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 37: Class III superior oblique palsy

AL0024

a History Comment
15 year old male This patient had significant head trauma one year
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 ago with a brief period of loss of consciousness. After
Refraction: OD +1.00 that he noticed frequent double vision and increasing
OS +.75 (no glasses worn) head tilt. His condition has remained stable for the
Motility: last six months. With a vertical deviation largest in
the fields opposite the paretic eye; that is, in left gaze
in the case of a right superior oblique palsy, a Class
10 RHT 16 RHT 30 RHT III superior oblique palsy is diagnosed. Since the
deviation is greater than 25 prism diopters in the field
8 RHT 18 RHT 36 RHT of greatest deviation two vertical muscles need to be
treated. In this case the right inferior oblique would
10 RHT 16 RHT 25 RHT be weakened along with either a right superior
oblique tuck (very unlikely in the case of an acquired
superior oblique palsy because the tendon is expected
Right Tilt 30 RHT to be normal) or a left inferior rectus recession. The
latter being the yoke of the paretic right superior
Left Tilt 8 RHT oblique.

Head posture: large left head tilt with chin depression

Fusion: stereo acuity 3000 seconds with head tilt
Double maddox rod: 10 excyclo OD

329
Chapter 15

CASE 38: Class III superior oblique palsy

Congenital absence
of the left
superior oblique

ECA0020

History Comment
9 year old male This nine year old male had a life long history of
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 a large right head tilt. He also was noted by his fam-
Refraction: OD plano +.75 x 90 degrees ily to have a much fuller face on the left. The size of
OS plano the deviation, the facial asymmetry and the pro-
nounced head tilt led to the suspicion that there may
Motility: be an absent left superior oblique tendon. A coronal
CT confirmed this. Note that the superior oblique is
seen in the right orbit but not the left. This finding
20 LHT* 15 LHT 10 LHT was later confirmed at surgery. The pattern of the
deviation indicates a Class III or possibly IVsuperior
40 LHT 30 LHT 23 LHT oblique palsy. Because there is no superior oblique to
strengthen on the left, surgery for this deviation
35 LHT 35 LHT 25 LHT
would consist of weakening the left inferior oblique,
and recession of the right inferior rectus with the pos-
* A small ET was measured in all fields sible addition of a small to moderate left superior rec-
tus recession.
Right Tilt 0

Left Tilt 10 LHT

Head posture: large right head tilt - chin depression

Facial asymmetry: much fuller face on the left
Fusion: nil
Double maddox rod: no torsion

330
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 39: Class III superior oblique palsy

AL0008

History Comment
12 year old female With maximum deviation greater than 25 prism
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/35 diopters and the larger deviations in the field of both
Refraction: OD + 2.00 the paretic superior oblique and the antagonist inferi-
OS + 2.00 or oblique this patient has a class III superior oblique
Motility: palsy requiring two muscle surgery. The left inferior
oblique would be weakened along with a tuck of the
left superior oblique if the tendon were found to be
28 LHT* 12 LHT 12 LHT loose on traction testing or right inferior rectus weak-
ening if the left superior traction test were normal.
25 LHT 18 LHT 6 LHT

20 LHT 10 LHT 4 LHT

* A small XT in upgaze

Right Tilt 5 LHT

Left Tilt 20 LHT

Head posture: right tilt

Fusion: stereo acuity 3000 seconds
Double maddox rod: no torsion

331
Chapter 15

CASE 40: Class IV superior oblique palsy

CR - HNN0004

History Comment
6 year old male The pattern of this deviation is that the larger left
Vision: OD 20/30, OS 20/30 hyper is in the entire right field plus a large deviation
Refraction: OD +1.00 +.50 x 90 is present in down left gaze. This latter is due to con-
OS +1.00 +.50 x 90 (no glasses worn) traction of the left superior rectus which is the yoke of
the right inferior oblique which is the antagonist to
Motility: the paretic right superior oblique. In this case the
deviation is treated by weakening the left inferior
20 LHT 10 LHT 8 LHT oblique to treat the deviation in right gaze plus a
recession of the left superior rectus to deal with the
20 LHT 28 LHT 25 LHT hyperdeviation in the down left field. This pattern of
superior oblique palsy was first described by
22 LHT 20 LHT 26 LHT Jampolsky who pointed out that the contracted supe-
rior rectus created fixation duress in the antagonist
ipsilateral inferior rectus which by Herings law influ-
ences the normal superior oblique to overact. The
Right Tilt 4 LHT important thing to remember in this pattern of superi-
or oblique palsy is that the overacting superior
Left Tilt 25 LHT oblique should not be weakened!

Head posture: right head tilt

Fusion: stereo acuity 400 seconds
Double maddox rod: no torsion

332
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 41: Class V superior oblique palsy

ECA0017

OD OS - extorted globe

History Comment
45 year old female This patient began noticing occasional diplopia
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/25 over the past two years. She also has developed a
Refraction: OD -.25 +.25 x 95 degrees chronic left head tilt. She fixates with her paretic right
OS -.50 +.25 x 75 (no glasses worn) eye. This appears to be producing fundus torsion
expressed as excyclotorsion of the left fundus. With
Motility: the greater vertical deviation in the lower fields, this
is closest to a Class V superior oblique palsy. It could
be treated with a right superior rectus recession and a
4 RHT 6 RHT 12 RHT recession of the left inferior rectus could be added.
As an alternative, an anterior and lateral shift of the
15 RHT 20 RHT 22 RHT the anterior fibers of the right superior oblique could
be done with a right superior rectus recession.
20 RHT 20 RHT 20 RHT Treatment is aimed at dealing with a hypertropia in
both the right and left fields of down gaze. Also with
no hypertropia in left head tilt and significant torsion
Right Tilt 28 RHT it is a good idea to be watching for a masked bilat-
eral superior oblique palsy.
Left Tilt 0

Head posture: left head tilt

Fusion: stereo acuity 40 seconds
Double maddox rod: 12 excyclo OS

333
Chapter 15

CASE 42: Class V superior oblique palsy

HAN0018

History Comment
9 year old male This patient demonstrates a pattern of hyper-
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/50 tropia with the largest deviation measured on down
Refraction: OD -.75 gaze or as it has been referred to across the bottom.
OS -5.00 +3.50 x 65 degrees This is called a Class V superior oblique palsy.
Motility: Effective treatment of this class of deviation starts
with recession of the ipsilateral superior rectus that in
this case is the right superior rectus. Then either tuck
4 RHT 0 0 of a loose superior oblique tendon, on the right in this
case, or if the paretic superior oblique has a normal
8 RHT 10 RHT 6 RHT tendon, a recession of the yoke left inferior rectus.

16 RHT 12 RHT 18 RHT

Right Tilt 18 RHT

Left Tilt 0

Head posture: left head tilt

Fusion: stereo acuity 100 seconds
Double maddox rod: no torsion

334
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 43: Class III superior oblique palsy with pseudo ptosis
(inhibitional palsy of the contralateral antagonist)

HAN0049

History Comment
14 year old female The special feature of this case is that the patient
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 appears to prefer the left eye or the eye with the paret-
Refraction: OD plano ic superior oblique for fixation. This results in more
OS plano innervation to the paretic left superior oblique and by
Motility: Herings law the same robust innervation to the nor-
mal yoke, the right inferior rectus. This in turn caus-
es excess inhibition to the antagonist of this yoke
20 LHT 20 LHT 10 LHT muscle which is the right superior rectus. This inner-
vation level also dictates the innervation to the right
18 LHT 16 LHT 6 LHT levator palbebri. Since this antogonist gets less inner-
vation, a ptosis (or more correctly a pseudo ptosis) is
16 LHT 8 LHT 4 LHT present. This is called inhibitional palsy of the con-
tralateral antagonist. The important lesson to
remember is that fixing the motility defect automati-
Right Tilt 0 cally fixes the ptosis.

Left Tilt 12 LHT

Head posture: right head tilt

Fusion: nil
Double maddox rod: 5 Right excyclo

335
Chapter 15

CASE 44: Superior oblique palsy - head posture normalized by

successful surgery

HAN0085 HAN0114

History Comment
9 year old male The preoperative motility points to a right supe-
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/25 rior oblique palsy with a rather pronounced left head
Refraction: OD plano tilt as would be expected. In addition some facial
OS plano asymmetry is present with the fuller face on the side
Fusion: stereo acuity 40 seconds of the paretic superior oblique, a finding with the
Motility: rule. Before the patient underwent surgery a question
about the role of tight neck muscles on the head pos-
Pre-operative
ture was discussed and correctly dismissed. A weak-
ening procedure of the right inferior oblique was
done.
20 RHT The postoperative appearance of the patient
shows essentially normal alignment. Only a slightly
positive Bielschowsky test remains as evidenced by a
small residual right hypertropia in right head tilt. But
most important, the head posture is now normal. This
confirms that the anomalous head posture was due to
the vertical deviation and not due to a tight neck mus-
cle.

336
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 45: Congenital superior oblique without

facial asymmetry

RO0023

History Comment
10 year old female This girl demonstrates a typical class III left
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 superior oblique palsy with the expected right head
Refraction: OD +1.00 tilt. Her parents state that she has always demonstrat-
OS +1.00 ed this head tilt. Her general health is excellent and
Fusion: stereo acuity 40 seconds her eye examination is otherwise normal. This is
Motility: apparently a congenital superior oblique palsy, but
this girl does not demonstrate facial asymmetry. She
does on direct questioning admit to occasionally see-
25 LHT 10 LHT 5 LHT ing images doubled vertically, but she can fuse the
images readily. In a case like this with a hypertropia
25 LHT 15 LHT 4 LHT measuring 25 prism diopters at the maximum, that is
in up right gaze, the patient can be treated effectively
20 LHT 5 LHT 0 with a weakening of the left inferior oblique. A sec-
ond surgery could be needed for an undercorrection
many years in the future.

337
Chapter 15

CASE 46: Congenital superior oblique with facial

asymmetry and esotropia

ROL0006

History Comment
4 year old female A striking feature in this child is the facial asym-
Vision: Fixes and follows OU, no cooperation for metry with a much larger cheek on the right side, the
optotypes side of the paretic superior oblique. The esotropia
Refraction: OD +3.00 +1.00 x 10 degrees suggests that this child does not have fusion and
OS +3.50 +.75 x 90 degrees (wearing although a moderate left head tilt is present, it does
glasses) not compare to the facial asymmetry. In a case like
Motility: this it is especially important to determine the status
of the superior oblique tendon. This is the type of
5 RHT* 12 RHT 30 RHT patient where the tendon may be absent or extremely
loose. This can be determined by a careful superior
* A variable esotropia +/- 12 oblique traction test and confirmed by exploration of
the superior oblique tendon at the time of surgery.
Double maddox rod: unable Note in picture 3 the right hypertropia is manifested
as a left hypotropia because the right eye is fixing.

338

CASE 47: Bilateral sixth nerve palsy
HAN0111
History
46 year old female
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/40
Refraction: OD plano
OS plano
This is an example of complete bilateral sixth
nerve palsy occurring after severe head trauma. This
happened 18 months ago. The eyes have remained
like this since the accident. The eyes are stuck in
convergence, (actually bilateral adduction) with no
abduction. The eyes elevate and depress reasonably
well indicating functioning of the vertical recti and
obliques. The man has constant diplopia.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
70 pd ET - up
80 pd ET - primary
90 pd ET - down
Comment
Treatment in this case would consist of:
1) Bilateral transfer of the vertical rectus muscles
to the lateral rectus muscle. The question
would be, full tendon or half tendon? With or
without augmentation?
2) Weakening of both medial rectus muscles.
The question would be, recession or Botox.
My choice would be large recession of both
medial rectus muscles plus a half tendon transfer
shifting the lateral half of the superior and inferior
rectus muscles (or the full tendon) to the lateral rectus
muscle. Augmentation as suggested by Foster could
be done at the discretion of the surgeon. Bilateral
sixth nerve palsy patients have diplopia even with
otherwise good results from surgery. Because of both
eyes being affected, a secondary deviation can occur
in any field of gaze. At best a small field of single
binocular vision can be gained. Suppression is a
comfort for these patients. The decision to do a full
tendon or a half tendon transfer would depend on the
surgeons concerns about anterior segment ischemia
occurring since only one anterior ciliary artery, that in
the lateral rectus, would remain.
339
Chapter 15
CASE 48: Bilateral sixth nerve palsy
History
46 year old male
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +0.75
OS +1.00
This man sustained bilateral sixth nerve palsy
after closed head trauma. The right eye is more
severely affected than the left. Trauma occurred more
than a year ago. The condition of the eyes has
remained stable for nearly a year. The right eye
remains in the adducted position even in full dextro-
version. In contrast, the left eye is able to move out
at least to the midline. Testing with saccadic veloci-
ty shows slightly brisker outward movement of the
left eye in attempted abduction compared to the right.
Generated force is nil to abduction in the right eye
and a slight tug is felt in the left eye on attempted
abduction.
340
Measurements
60 pd ET primary
HAN0105
Comment
This man could be treated with a muscle transfer
of the right eye moving the lateral half of the superi-
or and inferior rectus muscles (or the full tendon) to
the insertion of the right lateral rectus muscle with or
without augmentation. The right medial rectus would
be recessed. In the left eye, because some lateral rec-
tus function remains, a large recession of the medial
rectus and resection of the lateral rectus could be
done. This man has a chance of having a slightly big-
ger window of single binocular vision compared to
a patient with bilateral total sixth nerve palsy. The
decision to do a full tendon or a half tendon transfer
would depend on the surgeons concerns about anteri-
or segment ischemia occurring since only one anteri-
or ciliary artery, that in the lateral rectus, would
remain.

CASE 49: Right sixth nerve palsy
History
This man suffered a carotid-cavernous sinus fis-
tula three years ago. He was successfully treated but
has a residual complete left sixth nerve palsy. He is
eager to have his eyes realigned.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
RT ortho right
P 60 pd ET primary
LT 100 pd ET left
HAN0055
Comment
The chance of achieving a useful area of single
binocular vision is greater in the case of unilateral
palsy compared to one with bilateral involvement. In
a case like this, a question that often arises is: should
the antagonist medial rectus be injected with Botox in
the acute stage to prevent contraction? While this has
not been shown to contribute to better results for the
treatment of sixth nerve palsy in the long run, I think
that it is a treatment that should be considered if
Botox is readily available.
Surgical treatment of this case would be transfer
of the lateral half of the superior and inferior rectus
muscles (or the full tendon) to the lateral rectus mus-
cle with or without augmentation and recession of the
left medial rectus muscle. The decision to do a full
tendon or a half tendon transfer would depend on the
surgeons concern about anterior segment ischemia
occurring since only one anterior ciliary artery, that in
the lateral rectus, would remain.
341
Chapter 15

CASE 50: Sixth and seventh nerve palsy

Measurements
20 pd ET primary

DRR0062

History
42 year old male
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/40
Refraction: OD +1.00
OS +1.00
This man had removal of a benign brain tumor
four months ago. He is recovering well but has had
since surgery a right esotropia with inability to abduct
the eye, and a drooping of his right face. This right
sixth and seventh nerve palsy is improving slowly.
Comment
In a case like this it necessary to wait a sufficient
time to determine how much recovery will occur. In
the meantime precautions should be taken to protect
the right cornea from exposure caused by the paraly-
sis of the facial muscles responsible for closing the
right eye and innervated by the seventh nerve. The
right medial rectus could have been injected with
Botox earlier to prevent right medial rectus contrac-
ture. After eight months to a year the condition can
be considered stable and surgery can be done. The
type of surgery would depend on results of forced
ductions. If they are free, then a full tendon transfer
shifting the right vertical recti to the right lateral rec-
tus would be a good choice. If the medial rectus were
found tight on passive duction testing, then this mus-
cle would be recessed and a decision would be made
to do a full or a half tendon shift depending on con-
cerns regarding anterior segment ischemia. The right
lid lag could be helped with a partial tarsorraphy or a
more extensive facial muscle procedure by an oculo-
plastic surgeon.

342

CASE 51: Bilateral sixth nerve palsy
History
44 year old male
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/30
Refraction: OD + 0.50
OS + 0.50 +0.75 x 80 degrees
This man suffered severe head trauma one year
ago in an auto accident. His eyes have been crossed
since the accident. He is not able to abduct the eyes
even to the midline. He has diplopia but the images
are so far apart that he is not particularly bothered.
He turns his head to cross fixate because the eyes
remain in full adduction.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
100 pd ET primary
ROL0135
Comment
Treatment in this case would consist of:
1) Bilateral transfer of the vertical rectus muscles
to the lateral rectus muscle. The question
would be, full tendon or half tendon? With or
without augmentation?
2) Weakening of both medial rectus muscles.
The question would be, recession or Botox.
My choice would be large recession of both medial
rectus muscles plus a half tendon transfer shifting the
lateral half of the superior and inferior rectus muscles
(or the full tendon) to the lateral rectus muscle.
Augmentation as suggested by Foster could be done
at the discretion of the surgeon. Bilateral sixth nerve
palsy patients have diplopia even with otherwise
good results from surgery. Because of both eyes
being affected, a secondary deviation can occur in
any field of gaze. At best a small field of single
binocular vision can be gained. Suppression is a
comfort for these patients. The decision to do a full
tendon or a half tendon transfer would depend on the
surgeons concerns about anterior segment ischemia
occurring since only one anterior ciliary artery, the
one in the lateral rectus, would remain.
343
Chapter 15

CASE 52: Duane class I

Measurements
40 pd ET

HAN0010

History
2 year old girl
Vision: fixes and follows well with either eye
Refraction: OD +2.50
OS +3.00
This girl was noted by her parents to have in-
turning of the left eye from shortly after birth. As she
began sitting up and walking they noted that she turns
her head to the left and assumes right gaze. The child
is healthy and there is no family history of strabismus.
Comment
This is an example of Class I Duane syndrome.
There is a left esotropia in the primary position, lim-
ited abduction in the left eye, and narrowing of the
left palpebral fissure on dextroversion. The girl
assumes left face turn and right gaze to achieve
aligned eyes presumably with fusion. This may be
treated surgically with a recession of the left medial
rectus muscle and possibly with a posterior fixation
suture on the right medial rectus to limit excursion in
left gaze making the eyes more nearly matched in
that gaze position. In a case like this, it is always nec-
essary to rule out a left sixth nerve palsy. The nar-
rowing of the left palpebral fissure with enophthal-
mos helps confirm Duane. This would not occur in a
sixth nerve palsy. At surgery, resistance to forced
abduction in the right eye would also be seen in
Duane, but could also be seen, probably to a lesser
degree, in sixth nerve palsy.

344
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CASE 53: Duane syndrome class II

Measurements
20 pd XT primary

ROL0065

History Comment
8 year old girl This is a class II or exotropic Duane affecting the
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 left eye. Abduction in the left eye is quite good. This
Refraction: OD +1.00 girl turns her face to the right (toward the normal eye)
OS +1.25 and assumes left gaze where she has single binocular
Stereo: fly (3000 sec) vision and where she can fuse at least the stereo fly
(3000 sec). Note in picture 3 that the inferior orbital
This girl has been noted by her parents to have a septum pushes out making the lower lid fuller. This
face turn to the right . They do not notice anything occurs because the enophthalmos caused by the co-
else about her eyes. She is otherwise healthy and has contracture of the medial and lateral recti displaces
no complaints. orbital fat. This class II Duane affecting the left eye
is treated by recession of the left lateral rectus muscle.
If the enophthalmos were more severe, both the medi-
al and lateral rectus of the involved eye could be
recessed and then the lateral rectus of the sound eye
could be recessed to treat the extra exodeviation
caused by the medial rectus recession in the affected
eye.

345
Chapter 15

CASE 54: Duane syndrome class III

Measurements
ortho

RO - CHB0011

History Comment
9 year old girl This girl has a class III or straight eye Duane
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/25 with a prominent upshot in adduction. Because she
Refraction: OD +0.50 has excellent stereopsis and no complaints, any surgi-
OS +0.50 cal treatment should take these two facts into consid-
Stereo: 9/9 (40 sec.) eration. It the enophthalmos and upshoot become
enough of a problem, surgery on the left eye could be
This girl is reported by her parents to have a done consisting of a recession of the left lateral rectus
smaller eye on the left and that some times it disap- with a Y split and recession of the left medial rectus.
pears. She is doing well in school and has no com- Note that the main problem with this girls appear-
plaints. ance is in far right gaze seen in picture 4. This posi-
tion is easy for her to avoid. This girl can find dou-
ble vision as can virtually all Duane patients both
before and after even successful surgery. Patients
with Duane can be made better but not perfect.

346

CASE 55: Duane class III
History
40 year old female
Vision: OD 20/40, OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +0.25 -1.25 x 180 degrees
OS +0.25
Stereo: fly (3000 sec.)
This woman is becoming increasingly uncom-
fortable about the way she looks. She complains that
her eyes just don't look like they should.
Specifically she states that her right eye looks small-
er and that it does not go all the way to the right. She
also experiences double vision when she looks to the
right.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
ortho primary
GUM0057
Comment
It has been my experience that children with
Duane syndrome seldom if ever complain and that
adults almost always complain. In other words,
Duane syndrome becomes more symptomatic with
age without necessarily any change in the eye move-
ment behavior. It is well understood that Duane can-
not be cured only made some better. This is
achieved by normalizing head posture, reducing or
eliminating the primary position deviation, and
increasing the field of single binocular vision.
However these patients will always be able to find
double vision and will continue to experience some
over and/or under action of selected extraocular mus-
cles. For this reason it would be unwise in my opin-
ion to offer surgery to this patient. She is probably as
well off as she can be. Surgery at best would offer no
significant improvement and at worst would create a
new problem.
347
Chapter 15

CASE 56: Duane class II

Measurements
40 pd XT - up
60 pd XT - primary
80 pd XT - down

DRD0052

History Comment
6 year old boy A large right exotropia is present in the primary
Vision: OD 20/20, OS 20/20 position. The patient deals with this by turning his
Refraction: OD +0.50 head to the left. With this posture he demonstrates
OS +0.50 stereo acuity. Abduction in the right eye is nearly
Stereo: fly (3000 sec.) normal, but adduction is limited. During levoversion
the right eye becomes enophthalmic, and it shoots
This boy has had a face turn according to his par- up or down. An A pattern is present. To treat this
ents since the time the child sat up and walked. At case surgically the following could be done:
times they see his eyes deviated outward and some- 1) Large recession of the right lateral rectus with
times the right eye looks small. This boy does not Y split
complain about his eyes. 2) Moderate recession of the right medial rectus
3) Recession of the right lateral rectus
The amounts of surgery must be determined at
the time of surgery and would depend, at least in part
on the tightness of the muscles.

348

CASE 57: Duane class II
History
13 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/20 OS 20/20
Refraction OD +0.50 OS + 0.75
Stereo: 6/9 dots (80 sec.)
This girl has a moderate right exotropia in the
primary position. She assumes a left face turn to keep
her eyes in right gaze where she has excellent fusion.
There is moderate limitation of abduction in the right
eye, narrowing of the right palpebral fissure on lev-
oversion, enophthalmos of the left eye and both up
and down shoot of the right eye in levoversion
depending on whether the right eye is slightly above
or below the midline. This girl does not complain of
diplopia. Her parents are concerned about the face
turn.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
25 pd XT primary
ROL0025
Comment
This class II Duane is unusual because abduction
seems more affected than adduction in the involved
eye. But the exotropia and upshoot make this more of
a class II than anything else.
Surgery for this patient could consist of:
1) A moderate right lateral rectus recession with
one muscle width upshift.
Since this could further limit the already slightly
limited abduction in this eye. Another alternative
would be:
2) Recession of both the lateral and the medial
rectus in the right eye and a recession of the
lateral rectus in the left eye. The right lateral
rectus would be shifted up one muscle width.
In addition, the patient could have:
3) Posterior fixation suture of the left medial red-
ctus to help balance alignment in right gaze
349
Chapter 15

CASE 58: Duane class I (or II)

Measurements
20 pd ET distance
8 pd XT near primary

TRK0005

History Comment
20 year old male Surgery for the enophthalmos and upshoot in
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/25 this patient could include:
Refraction: OD +1.00 +0.25 x 90 1) Small recession of the left lateral rectus with
OS +1.50 Y split
Stereo: fly (3000 sec.) 2) Moderate recession of the left medial rectus

This man's alignment goes from an esotropia to This could also benefit the exotropia in
an exotropia in the primary position comparing dis- downgaze
tance and near. He has severe limitation of abduction
and adduction in the left eye with enophthalmos and
mostly upshoot of the left eye in adduction. He is
most concerned with his face turn and the hyperdevi-
ation of the left eye. He also complains of frequent
diplopia when he is driving a car.

350
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 59: Duane class IV

Measurements
60 pd XT primary

HAN0011

History Comment
5 year old boy This boy demonstrates another striking ocular
Vision: OD 20/60, OS 20/30 motility finding that the parents did not observe.
Refraction: OD -1.00 When he looks far to the right the left eye diverges or
OS -2.00 goes to the left! This had been called perversion of
the extra ocular muscles. It is also called simulta-
This boy according to his parents has had a large neous abduction. I believe it is a very extreme exam-
exotropia since birth. He has always turned his face ple of class II Duane. In these patients the eyes are so
to the right and looked at them with the eyes in left exotropic that when co-contraction occurs in the
gaze. The child is otherwise healthy and is develop- affected eye, the mechanical advantage of the
ing normally. involved eye is so great because of the eye position in
exodeviation that the eye undergoes abduction rather
than retraction. I call this class IV Duane.
Surgical treatment of this could be:
1) Large bilateral lateral rectus recession
2) Left medial rectus resection
This breaks the rule of not resecting muscles in
cases in Duane. However, the exodeviation is so
great that I believe resection is advisable. I have
seen and treated only a few of these cases. They are
rare. I believe this is a type of Duane that deserve a
class of its own

351
Chapter 15
CASE 60: Brown syndrome
History
12 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/25, OS 20/25
Refraction: OD plano
OS plano
This boy is noted by his parents to tilt his head to
the right. He has no specific complaints but does say
he can see double at times. His general health is good
and he is doing satisfactory work in school.
Comment
This is a typical case of Brown syndrome. Of
course, this must be confirmed by demonstrating
restricted forced ductions to elevation of the right eye
in adduction. Based on the typical appearance, it is
safe to schedule surgery with confidence that the
diagnosis of Brown will be confirmed. The choice of
surgical procedure depends on the experience and the
preference of the surgeon. There are several
approaches suggesting that none is perfect.
352
AL0040
1) My choice is to do the following: a) expose
the entire superior oblique tendon after a
cuffed superior limbal incision, usually with
detachment of the superior rectus; b) explore
the superior oblique tendon from the trochlear
cuff to the tendon's insertion freeing any obvi-
ous restrictions; c) repeat forced duction test-
ing the tightness of the superior oblique ten-
don and if resistance to elevation of the eye
persists proceed with disinsertion or tenecto-
my as needed but starting with the lesser
weakening procedure and proceeding as indi-
cated by the forced ductions d) replace the
superior rectus and close. I do not routinely
place a traction suture.
2) Some would do a medial approach to the
superior oblique tendon and place a silicone
spacer to lengthen the tendon.
3) Still others would do a superior oblique tenec-
tomy.
All of these procedures can succeed and I suspect
all can fail!
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 61: Brown syndrome (three examples)

Measurements
Primary ortho
with head tilt

IN0047

AL0029

Measurements
25 pd ET 10 pd
right hypo primary

AL0025

A, Typical Brown with chin up head posture; B, Typical Brown; C, Brown and
esotropia - the boy does not assume a chin up head posture

Comment
These three patients demonstrate the similarities
of findings in patients with Brown syndrome. These
findings are for the most part like those of case 60 and
treatment would be similar. However note that in the
third patient there is a large angle esotropia in the pri-
mary position. This would require at least a medial
rectus recession along with the surgical treatment of
the Brown. The patient with esotropia and Brown
does not assume a chin up head posture because he
has suppression A head posture in this case is not
needed to avoid of diplopia and achieve fusion.

353
Chapter 15
CASE 62: Right hypotropia (trauma)
History
9 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/20 OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano OS plano
This boy was stuck above the right eye with a
pointed stick about one year ago. His right eye has
been lower since that time. He holds his chin up and
reports seeing double. A CT of the orbit shows the
superior rectus in place and there is no evidence of a
blow out fracture.
354
Measurements
20 pd R hypo
AL0018
Comment
Any time trauma around the eye causes a
hypotropia a blowout fracture must be suspected.
This was not shown on the CT. I suspect that the
problem is with the right superior rectus in spite of the
CT findings suggesting a normal muscle. My recom-
mendations for treatment are the following:
1) At surgery confirm the presence of free forced
elevation of the right eye
2) Explore the right superior rectus area and
advance/repair a lacerated muscle or resect an
intact muscle
3) If passive ductions are restricted, the reason
must be found and the restrictions freed. A
decision must then be made regarding reces-
sion of the muscle associated with the restric-
tion
Trauma cases must be dealt with on an individual
basis with surgery done in response to the unique
findings of each case.

CASE 63: Traumatic disinsertion of the inferior rectus
AFT-kbl0007
History
16 year old boy
Vision: OD 20/20 OS 20/20
Refraction: OD plano OS plano
This boy was struck in the left eye one year ago
with a carpet hook. He was treated surgically for a
lacerated left inferior rectus, but the left hypertropia,
limited depression of the left eye and diplopia remain.
Telemedicine: distance medicine
Measurements
5 pd L hyper up
25 pd L hyper primary
35 pd L hyper down
Comment
The inferior rectus is the muscle most frequently
involved in trauma like this. This may be due to the
fact that the protective Bell phenomenon places the
inferior rectus in harms way as the eye rotates
upward. The first attempt at repair was unsuccessful.
The significant lower lid ptosis suggests that the mus-
cle is there but was was not properly reattached.
Surgery for this patient would consist of:
1) Exploration of the left inferior rectus
2) Advancement of the inferior rectus to the orig-
inal insertion. A tandem adjustable suture
could be used.
The presence of lower lid ptosis and the fact that
some depression of the left eye remains suggests that
the inferior rectus continues to act and that if it is reat-
tached, the lid will come up and the eye will go down!
355
Chapter 15

CASE 64: Third nerve palsy with aberrant regeneration

HA0004

Comment
This case may well be treated best by avoiding
surgery.

CASE 65: Traumatic subconjunctival hemorrhage

GUM0036

Comment
A trauma case like this deserves a thorough eye
examination in addition to evaluation of motility. In
this patient both were normal except for the extensive
ecchymosis and subconjunctival hemorrhage. In
cases like this the hemorrhage is said to resolve in
fourteen days with treatment and in two weeks with-
out!

356
 Telemedicine: distance medicine

CASE 66: Conjunctival laceration

GUM0068

Comment
This small conjunctival laceration can be closed
with one suture of it can be allowed to heal on its
own. In a case like this be sure to rule out lateral rec-
tus damage and perforation of the globe. With an
injury like this a thorough eye examination should be
done.

CASE 67: Dissociated vertical deviation (two examples)

DRD0066

DRD0085

Comment
These two patients are excellent examples of the
value of the Speilmann translucent occluder for
demonstrating dissociated vertical deviation in a way
suitable for photographic documentation.

357
Chapter 15
CASE 68: Heimann-Bielschowsky phenomenon
History
16 year old girl
Vision: OD 20/400 OS 20/20
Refraction: OD +3.00 OS +1.25
This girl started with congenital esotropia and
has undergone three surgeries. She has had no treat-
ment for amblyopia. She notes that her right eye is
lower than the left and that it sometimes moves up
and down.
358
Measurements
15 pd R hypo primary
ROL0136
Comment
Hypotropia in a poorly seeing eye which also
bobs up and down with nystagmoid movements is
characteristic of the Heimann-Bielschowsky phenom-
enon. This patient also demonstrates a DVD response
when the right eye is covered. Behavior of this sort
can occur in a poorly seeing eye of long standing. I
have seen similar behavior in more than a dozen such
cases. The best treatment for this patient in my expe-
rience is recession of the inferior rectus of the
hypotropic right eye. In cases like this that I have
treated, there has been no exacerbation of the hyper
response of the DVD.

Strabismus case management
CASE 1 Congenital esotropia without nystagmus,
363
CASE 2 Congenital esotropia with nystagmus,
limited abduction, and face turn
(Ciancia syndrome), 365
CASE 3 Nystagmus blockage syndrome, 366
CASE 4 Residual esotropia, 367
CASE 5 Exotropia after surgery for esotropia
(with normal or nearly normal adduc-
tion), 368
CASE 6 Exotropia after a slipped medial rectus
muscle, 369
CASE 7 Exotropia caused by a lost medial
rectus muscle, 370
CASE 8 V pattern exotropia with overaction of
the inferior obliques, 371
CASE 9 Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD),
373
CASE 10 A esotropia after bimedial rectus
recession, 375
CASE 11 A exotropia after bimedial rectus
recession, 376
CASE 12 Basic pattern intermittent exotropia, 377
CASE 13 Divergence excess intermittent exotropia,
378
CASE 14 Convergence insufficiency intermittent
exotropia, 379
CASE 15 Persistent diplopia after surgery for
intermittent exotropia, 380
CASE 16 Congenital Brown syndrome, 381
CASE 17 Acquired Brown syndrome, 383
16
CASE 18 Iatrogenic Brown syndrome, 384
CASE 19 Duane syndrome with esotropia (class I),
385
CASE 20 Duane syndrome with limited adduction
(class II), 386
CASE 21 Duane syndrome with straight eyes and
limited abduction and adduction
(class III), 387
CASE 22 Duane syndrome with simultaneous
abduction (class IV), 389
CASE 23 Class I superior oblique palsy, 390
CASE 24 Class II acquired superior oblique palsy,
392
CASE 25 Large-angle class III congenital superior
oblique palsy 393
CASE 26 Large class IV acquired superior oblique
palsy, 395
CASE 27 Bilateral superior oblique palsy, 397
CASE 28 Canine tooth syndrome: class VII
superior oblique palsy, 399
CASE 29 Congenital absence of the superior
oblique tendon, 401
CASE 30 Thyroid ophthalmopathy
(Graves ophthalmology), 402
CASE 31 Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves
ophthalmology) with postoperative
slippage of the recessed inferior rectus,
403
CASE 32 Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves
ophthalmology) involving multiple
muscles, 405
CASE 33 Unilateral sixth nerve palsy, 406
359
CASE 34 Bilateral sixth nerve palsy, 408
CASE 35 Bilateral sixth nerve palsy with
persistent diplopia after successful
treatment, 409
CASE 36 Right sixth nerve palsy from
intracranial aneurysm, 411
CASE 37 Acquired third nerve palsy, 412
CASE 38 Traumatic third nerve palsy with mis-
direction after successful horizontal
alignment, 414
CASE 39 Congenital third nerve palsy, 416
CASE 40 Severe bilateral congenital third nerve
palsy, 417
CASE 41 Sensory exotropia, 418
CASE 42 Residual sensory esotropia, 419
CASE 43 Dissociated vertical deviation with true
hypotropia (falling eye), 420
CASE 44 Double elevator palsy, 422
CASE 45 Blowout fracture of the orbit, 423
CASE 46 Acute blowout fracture of the orbit, 424
CASE 47 Congenital fibrosis syndrome, 425
CASE 48 Mbius syndrome, 426
CASE 49 Skew deviation with symptomatic
diplopia, 427
CASE 50 Acquired esotropia, 428
CASE 51 Chronic progressive external ophthalmo-
plegia, 430
360
CASE 52 Ocular myasthenia, 431
CASE 53 Absence or the medial rectus muscle,
432
CASE 54 Traumatic disinsertion of the inferior
rectus muscle, 433
CASE 55 Diplopia after cataract extraction from
left inferior rectus restriction, 435
CASE 56 Diplopia after repair of retinal detach-
ment, 437
CASE 57 Diplopia after repair of retinal detach-
ment, 438
CASE 58 V pattern esotropia with overaction of
the inferior oblique muscles, 439
CASE 59 A exotropia, bilateral overaction of the
superior obliques, dissociated vertical
deviation, 441
CASE 60 Parinauds paralysis of elevation, 443
CASE 61 Null point nystagmus, 444
CASE 62 Congenital nystagmus with decreased
vision, 446
CASE 63 Nystagmus after brain stem stroke, 449
CASE 64 Superior oblique myokymia, 450
CASE 65 Typical refractive esotropia, 451
CASE 66 Refractive/ accommodative esotropia
(high AC/A), 452
CASE 67 Refractive esotropia with dissociated
vertical deviation, 453

Case presentations
The layout of the patient presentations in this
section includes the following:
1. A clinical photograph of the patient empha-
sizing the most informative character-
istic(s).
2. A brief clinical history highlighting perti-
nent facts about this patient. These histori-
cal items will be typical of the class of
patient presented.
3. Pertinent clinical measurements including
those motor and sensory findings important
in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Although the complete motility examination
as described previously (see chapter 4) has
been completed for all patients up to the
level of the patients ability to cooperate only
selected findings will be described.
4. Diagnosis
5. Nonsurgical treatment
6. Surgical treatment
7. Comments
The management of strabismus starts with recog-
nition of the entity; a diagnosis must be made. After
thinking about how this is actually done, a fairly
unlikely solution occurred to me. The diagnosis of
strabismus in most cases is made by first recognizing
the qualitative findings and then assigning a diagnos-
tic label. Third nerve palsy looks like third nerve
palsy because the eye is down and out with ptosis and
frequently a large pupil. Congenital esotropia looks
like congenital esotropia because the eyes are crossed
in an infant who can abduct either eye. The diagno-
sis of strabismus is made by simply knowing and rec-
ognizing this condition in a patient. Although a thor-
ough understanding of mechanisms of strabismus and
a thorough knowledge of the diagnostic routine are
essential, the diagnosis is made more on the basis of
observation than by the deductive process. Each stra-
bismus has its gestalt, and awareness of this is the
foundation of strabismus diagnosis. Once the diag-
nosis is made, it is necessary to work more or less
backward from the diagnosis by determining size or
amount (quantification), the sensory status, and final-
ly, the etiology of the strabismus. The ability to carry
out this process beforehand is essential to the ultimate
effective treatment of strabismus.
A key to the understanding of strabismus starts
with etiology. The concept can be demonstrated in an
algorithm (p.24). The first branching of this algo-
rithm separates all of strabismus into those patients
with inborn errors in motor fusion mechanism, the
basic cause of congenital esotropia, and those born
with motor fusion potential. The former category
extends linearly to include the broad spectrum of ocu-
lar motility disturbances, which can be placed under
Strabismus case management
the large heading congenital esotropia syndrome.
The latter includes all patients born with the potential
for motor fusion and comprises the remainder of stra-
bismus in its many and varied forms.
The algorithm of etiology recognizes five princi-
pal causes for strabismus or misalignment of the eyes:
1. Congenital absence of motor fusion, leading
to congenital esotropia and its sequelae
2. Congenital or acquired mechanical strabis-
mus
3. Congenital or acquired supranuclear,
nuclear, and fascicular neural strabismus
including intermittent exotropia
4. Congenital or acquired sensory deficit lead-
ing to strabismus
5. Refractive-accommodative esotropia
In the first category with absence of the motor
fusion mechanism in the occipital cortex, the eyes are
not guided gently and inexorably to alignment during
the formative months of life. In the absence of this
central guide, called motor fusion, the peripheral
motor elements (extraocular muscles guided by
supranuclear vergence mechanisms and activated
through motor nerves) tend to go their own way.
Since the most exuberant infantile oculomotor
response is convergence, esotropia is the result of a
lack of central motor fusion. Later, this lack of motor
fusion control has its effect on some subtle and not so
subtle brainstem oculomotor control functions and
produces dissociated vertical deviation (DVD),
oblique dysfunction, asymmetric optokinetic nystag-
mus (OKN), torticollis, and latent nystagmus.
Now for the rest of strabismus! It may seem to
be painting with too broad a brush to assign the
remainder of strabismus to a single branch, those born
with motor fusion who develop strabismus on the
basis of mechanical or neural factors. I hope I can
convince you that this is logical. While all of these
patients in the second branch of the classification
have in common the capacity for motor fusion, some
retain normal sensory fusion at least part of the time,
some lose it (acquired strabismus with suppression),
and others may never have been able to realize the
potential (Mobius syndrome, congenital third nerve
palsy). Depending on time of onset of the strabismus,
inability (ability) of the eyes to attain alignment with
vergence response or by assumption of an appropriate
head posture, and providing there is equal sensory
input, fusion potential can be salvaged. On the other
hand, in the absence of these factors it can be lost. In
a similar way, sensory fusion (stereopsis) may be
retained if favorable factors prevail or it may be lost.
Diplopia from defective motor fusion may be either
constant or intermittent. Finally, suppression--either
intermittent and reversible, as in intermittent
361
Chapter 16
exotropia, or constant with anomalous correspon-
dence and with or without amblyopia--may be the
sensory adaptation to the ocular misalignment.
The eyes may be free to move individually in all
directions or they may not. If free movement is not
achieved, the cause of the strabismus may be mechan-
ical or neurologic or combined mechanical/ neurolog-
ic. Only testing of passive ductions and generated
force can differentiate these classes of strabismus.
This array may seem to be getting long and com-
plicated and even out of hand, but it should not be so
construed. A little thought and a little practice will
lead even the neophyte through the initial steps. This
approach provides an alternative to the traditional
scheme of categorizing that, in my opinion, is really
not the most useful way to tackle the management of
strabismus.
After observation, an accurate history and
employing appropriate physical examination tech-
niques, the proper diagnosis of strabismus can be
made in nearly every case. This strabismus workup
has been described in detail (chapter 4). In outline
form it is as follows:
History
When
What
Symptoms
362
Prior treatment
Vision
Stereo acuity
Motor fusion amplitudes
Diplopia fields
Ductions--versions--forced ductions--saccadic
velocity--generated force
Nystagmus
External
Pupils
Head posture
Prism and cover test--double Maddox rod test
(torsion)--head tilt test (Bielschowsky)
Retinoscopy after cycloplegia
Fundus examination--retinal torsion
Diagnosis
Treatment plan
The patient workup scheme, surgical options,
surgical techniques, aphorisms, and possible compli-
cations (and ways to avoid them) are described else-
where in the book. It should always be understood
that all aspects of the nonsurgical management of the
strabismus patient -- including treatment of ambly-
opia, and appropriate orthoptic, pharmacologic, opti-
cal, and prismatic therapy -- should be considered
before embarking on a course of surgical treatment.

CASE 1: Congenital esotropia without nystagmus
Clinical picture
A B
A 6 month-old boy with 40 prism diopters of congenital esotropia A, before and B, 1 day after bimedial rectus
recession to 9.5 mm from the limbus with a limbal approach.
History
This patient with congenital esotropia was
brought in for examination at 6 months of age; simi-
lar infants are usually seen initially between 4 and 12
months of age. Parents often state that the eyes are
crossed or that they do not track together. The
infants general health, especially neurologic status, is
normal. Older children, up to 2 or 3 years old or
more, may be examined for the first time with a sim-
ilar picture and be diagnosed as probably congenital
esotropia based on the history. In either case, parents
tend to report that the eyes have been crossed since
birth. However, after specific questioning about the
timing and duration of the crossing, they may admit
that the esotropia was intermittent at first and con-
stant later. One or both parents, a sibling, or another
relative may have strabismus, but the family history
may be negative for strabismus.
Examination
An infant must be approached gently, with quiet
reassuring movements, in order to maintain some
semblance of cooperation. The child is observed for
fixation and following behavior of each eye, using an
interesting object and employing a nonthreatening
cover test. Lateral versions should be observed to
confirm full abduction. If full abduction is not
accomplished while the infant is following an inter-
esting object, the dolls head or oculocephalic
maneuver should be done to rule out limited abduc-
tion as the cause of the esotropia. Prism and cover
testing is difficult in the infant. The deviation can be
measured with sufficient accuracy using the Krimsky
prism test or the Hirschberg light reflex test with the
infant looking across the room. The average devia-
tion is 30 to 45 prism diopters (this infant had 40
*This type of congenital esotropia can demonstrate latent nystagmus with DVD later in its course, after surgical treatment
Strabismus case management
prism diopters esotropia), with a range of 10 to 90
prism diopters. No A or V pattern is observed in
the straightforward case, although these findings and
DVD may be seen at the initial examination of the
older child with congenital esotropia. Throughout the
examination one should closely observe for both
manifest and latent nystagmus, including fine mani-
fest rotary movements. The patient shown here did
not have nystagmus. This is a very important finding,
since in my experience patients without nystagmus
have better surgical results. Refraction is done 40
minutes after 1 drop of Cyclogyl has been instilled in
each eye (1/2% in infants under 1 year and 1% in chil-
dren over 1 year). Retinoscopy findings are typically
between plano and less than +3.00 diopters. This
infant had retinoscopy of +1.00 diopter in each eye.
The examination is completed with evaluation of the
anterior segment, media, and retina (posterior pole),
including evaluation of the optic nerve and macula.
Diagnosis
Congenital esotropia without nystagmus,* 40
prism diopters, alternating.
Treatment
If amblyopia is diagnosed by noting fixation
preference, occlusion therapy is started following one
of these two techniques:
Patch preferred eye all waking hours. Check
in 1 week for infants under 1 year of age, in 2
weeks for children over 1 year of age, and in
suitably short intervals in any older child to
accurately monitor the fixation behavior while
avoiding occlusion amblyopia. Continue
occlusion until alternation is achieved or no
363
Chapter 16
improvement is noted after 3 months of patch-
ing with compliance. Before discontinuing
attempts at patching, a thorough reassessment
of the physical status of the eye should be car-
ried out.
Patch preferred eye 3 or 4 days, then patch the
amblyopic eye 1 day in continuing cycles (one
eye is always patched), and follow the routine
described above. This technique provides a
safer program to avoid occlusion amblyopia,
especially in cases where close follow-up is not
possible.
If +3.00 D hyperopia or greater is found at cyclo-
plegic refraction in a patient similar to the one shown
here, spectacles are usually prescribed. If the eyes are
aligned with spectacle correction, refractive esotropia
is confirmed and the treatment is continued glasses
wear. If the eyes are not aligned with the glasses,
congenital esotropia is confirmed. In my experience
this is the usual case in infants under 1 year. Since
low plus correction of +3.00 or +4.00 diopters
rarely results in alignment, loaner glasses may be pro-
vided to cut down on the expense for parents.
Surgery
An infant 4 months of age or older with
esotropia without amblyopia and without a refractive
component is a candidate for eye muscle surgery. My
choice of surgical treatment for congenital esotropia
without nystagmus is bimedial rectus recession of
between 8.5 and 11.5 mm measuring from the limbus,
with the amount of surgery depending on the age and
the angle. Deviations are divided into small, medium,
and large and bimedial rectus recessions are likewise
divided.
Bimedial rectus recession
Deviation (mm) <1 yr >1 yr >5 yr
Small 20-30 diopters 8.5 9.0 9.0
Medium 30-45 diopters 9.5 10.0 10.5
Large 45+ diopters 10.5 11.0 11.5
10.0 mm is the maximum between 4 and 6 months
In practice, there is a significant overlap in the pre-
ceding table. The inconsistencies can only be
described as the art of strabismus surgery. In my
opinion, any surgeon who adheres doggedly to a for-
mula will produce inferior results. Minor adjust-
ments should be made based on subtleties of each
patients strabismus. In addition to bimedial rectus
recession, conjunctival recession after limbal incision
may be done in patients with an angle over 70 prism
diopters and in cases where passive abduction is
found to be restricted at the time of surgery.
Comment
With appropriate surgery 80% to 85% of eyes
will be aligned with less than 10 prism diopters of
residual strabismus, which is in most cases an
364
esotropia. I estimate that 10% of patients will need a
second surgery, usually for residual esotropia, in the
first year. Seven of 10 will require a second or third
surgery before their teens. Parents are told that a
child treated surgically for congenital esotropia has a
likelihood of needing additional surgical procedures
for an early over- or undercorrection and/or for new
strabismus occurring after a period of alignment.
These additional surgical procedures are required for
DVD, oblique overaction with V or A pattern,
residual esotropia, and secondary exotropia. It must
be emphasized that the patient with congenital
esotropia has an abnormal central nervous system
subserving motor fusion. Surgery on the exrtraocular
muscles combined with amblyopia treatment when
indicated improves alignment and maximizes sensory
function, but this does not eliminate the original and
underlying neurologic problem. The best result
obtainable from treatment for congenital esotropia is
subnormal binocular vision.
Patients treated surgically for congenital
esotropia require close follow-up until their teen
years. It is especially important to monitor amblyopia
in the first few years after the eyes are aligned
because it is more difficult to assess fixation behavior
and therefore amblyopia in the preverbal child after
successful surgery. Other sequelae such as DVD,
oblique dysfunction, and exotropia must also be
watched for. I tell families of infants treated surgi-
cally for congenital esotropia that they need an oph-
thalmologist for a friend at least until the child
receives a drivers licence (that is, until the mid-
teens).
For any type of congenital esotropia, some stra-
bismologists use injection of Botox into one medial
rectus muscle in doses up to 5 units. This has been
reported to produce alignment of 10 dipoters or less
esotropia in just over 60% of patients with an average
of 1.7 injections. Newer studies by Campos report
88% alignment in congenital esotropia patients after
injection of 5 units of Botox in each medial rectus
under direct observation with the patient under gener-
al anesthesia. This compares to similar alignment in
just over 80% of patients after bimedial rectus reces-
sion. Some surgeons prefer three or four horizontal
rectus muscle surgery for larger angle esotropia,
adding one lateral rectus resection for esotropia
greater than 70 diopters. I do bimedial rectus reces-
sion as the first surgical procedure for all patients
with congenital esotropia. We produce hard to
explain undercorrection with some small angles and
overcorrection with some larger preoperative
esotropia in patterns that suggest that factors other
than just the angle of deviation predict the response to
surgery.

CASE 2: Congenital esotropia with nystagmus, limited
abduction, and face turn (Ciancia syndrome)
Clinical picture
A 10-month-old boy with esotropia, face
turn, and manifest latent nystagmus
(Ciancia syndrome).
History
This 10-month-old boy presented with a typical
congenital esotropia history: the eye crossing from
birth or shortly after in an otherwise normal infant.
This patient differs in that his parents say he appears
to have both eyes crossed and usually turns his head.
Examination
Abduction is apparently limited, but with effort
it is full with nystagmus increasing in abduction.
Nystagmus (manifest latent nystagmus) is present in
the primary position with the slow phase toward the
nonfixing eye.
The strabismus angle is measured with the
Krimsky prism test or the Hirschberg light reflex test.
In this patient 60 prism diopters of esotropia is meas-
ured. Prism and cover testing is more difficult to per-
form than in congenital esotropia without nystagmus.
The angle is usually larger than congenital esotropia
without nystagmus by 10 prism diopters or more.
The remainder of the examination is normal.
Retinoscopy after 1/2% Cyclogyl is OD + 1.50, OS
+1.50.
Diagnosis
Congenital esotropia with nystagmus (Ciancia
syndrome).
Strabismus case management
Treatment
Amblyopia and hyperopia (refractive compo-
nent) if present are treated in the usual manner.
Surgery
Bimedial rectus recession is performed accord-
ing to the angle. A slightly larger bimedial rectus
recession is indicated compared to congenital
esotropia without nystagmus. As a guideline, I add
0.5 mm to 1.0 mm to each medial rectus recession,
according to age. The maximum for this child is 10.5
mm from the limbus. Some surgeons would add a lat-
eral rectus recession in one eye.
Comment
Congenital esotropia with nystagmus is more
likely to result in postoperative undercorrection when
a similar amount of surgery is done compared to con-
genital esotropia without nystagmus. This means that
close follow-up is needed. Repeat surgery for a sig-
nificant residual angle is needed about twice as often
as in congenital esotropia without nystagmus.
The ultimate in manifest latent nystagmus
occurs in infants who have no vision in one eye or
have undergone enucleation of one eye. These
patients may develop pronounced manifest latent nys-
tagmus with the slow phase toward the non-seeing
eye and face turn toward the seeing eye. Improved
head posture results after recession of the medial rec-
tus and resection of the lateral rectus of the sound eye.
365
Chapter 16

CASE 3: Nystagmus blockage syndrome

Clinical picture

An 18-month-old girl with 40 prism diopters

esotropia and both eyes crossed. This
patient has a variable angle, often large,
esotropia with stable eyes while the eyes
are crossed (converged) because of the
stabilizing effect of convergence.

History Treatment/ Surgery

Early onset variable angle esotropia with danc-
ing movements of the eyes is reported by this childs
parents, who state she is an otherwise healthy 18-
month-old girl.
Examination
Since the deviation is inversely related to the
nystagmus, the larger the esotropia, the less nystag-
mus and vice versa. It is difficult to measure the
angle of deviation with any more precision than can
be obtained with observation and estimation or by the
light reflex (Hirschberg). This patient has a maxi-
mum esodeviation of 40 prism diopters. Versions and
ductions are full, but some effort may be required to
record full abduction in patients like this.
Retinoscopy after 1% Cyclogyl is OD +2.50, OS
+2.75.
Diagnosis
Nystagmus blockage syndrome.
My choice for surgery in this case is a bimedial
rectus recession according to the maximum angle. In
this case I would recess each medial rectus 11.0 mm
from the limbus. A smaller bimedial rectus recession
may be combined with a posterior fixation suture.
Others might do a posterior fixation suture alone.
Comment
Nystagmus blockage syndrome (NBS), more
than Ciancia syndrome, is an esotropia without total-
ly agreed upon characteristics or incidence. Ciancia
syndrome probably represents about 10% of congen-
ital esotropia in my experience. NBS represents only
about 1% to 3%. Some patients with congenital
esotropia have a variable angle with manifest pendu-
lar and jerk horizontal, vertical, and rotary small
amplitude nystagmus. This curious type of esotropia
(or nystagmus) I have called ocular instability syn-
drome. As with other congenital esotropia patients
with nystagmus, ocular instability patients are prone
to undercorrection and are the esotropia patients who
in my experience are most likely to receive little, if
any, apparent effect from surgery.

366

CASE 4: Residual esotropia
Clinical picture
A B
A, Patient after bimedial recession 9.5 mm from the limbus;
B, after re-recession of the medial recti to 11.5 mm from the
limbus.
History
This 14-month-old boy had a bimedial reces-
sion to 9.5 mm from the limbus (equivalent 4.5 mm
from the insertion) at 4 months of age for 35 prism
diopters of esotropia. The eyes were never aligned
postoperatively and now 25 prism diopters of residual
esotropia remains.
Examination
A stable angle of 25 prism diopters esotropia is
measured with the Krimsky test. Ductions are full.
No oblique dysfunction or vertical incomitance is
seen. No nystagmus is noted.
Diagnosis
Residual esotropia after bimedial rectus
recession.
Treatment/Surgery
Re-recession of the medial recti to 11.5 mm.
Comment
The choice of surgery depends in large part on
what was done at the first surgery. If the bimedial
rectus recession was less than maximum, the medial
recti may be re-recessed to a maximum of 11.5 mm.
Since this case was undercorrected, a slightly larger
recession was done in this 1-year-old, exceeding the
Strabismus case management
11.0 mm limit for initial surgery . If less than 2.0 mm
of re-recession can be done; that is, if more than 9.5
mm bimedial rectus recession or equivalent had been
done at the initial surgery; less effect would be gained
from re-recession and I would consider lateral rectus
resection. In a young child with residual esotropia, I
would rarely elect to operate on just one muscle.
Another choice for surgery would be re-recession of
one medial rectus and resection of the lateral rectus of
the same eye.
Repeat surgery for residual esotropia is indicat-
ed for the same reason that surgery is done originally.
An acceptable residual angle is 10 prism diopters;
greater than this can be reason for reoperation.
However, some residual angles greater than 10
diopters are not noticeable. If that is the case, I do not
think that a second surgery is necessary. After sur-
gery this type of undercorrected patient may be noted
to have manifest nystagmus (manifest latent nystag-
mus) and what I call ocular instability with small
amplitude horizontal, vertical, and rotary nystagmus
not seen before the initial surgery. Surgical treatment
for residual esotropia is based primarily on how the
patient looks. In contrast to young patients, some
teenagers and adults with residual esotropia can ben-
efit from a single medial rectus weakening procedure
for an angle of 15 prism diopters.
367
Chapter 16

CASE 5: Exotropia after surgery for esotropia

(with normal or nearly normal adduction)

Clinical picture

A 22-year-old man with 35 prism diopters

exotropia after bimedial rectus recession at
age 3.

History
This 22-year-old man had bimedial rectus
recession to 10.0mm from the limbus (5.0 mm equiv-
alent measured from the insertion) at 3 years of age.
His eyes were aligned for 3 years then they gradually
began to drift out. For the past several years he has
had a lazy eye, according to his parents and friends.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye without cor-
rection. The exotropia measures 35 prism diopters
distance and near with prism and cover testing.
Ductions are essentially full in either eye, except for
a trace of reduced adduction bilaterally. No vertical
incomitance, oblique dysfunction, or nystagmus is
seen. This patient usually fixed with the left eye but
would take up and hold fixation with the right eye
when asked.
Treatment/Surgery
Advancement and resection of both medial
recti, including 4.0 mm of advancement and 2.0 mm
of resection.
Comment
The most important physical finding is the
nearly full adduction, that suggests the medial recti
have not slipped. In this type of patient, some sur-
geons would prefer to do a moderate bilateral lateral
rectus recession. In my hands recessing both lateral
recti 5.0 to 6.0 mm would be appropriate. Another
alternative surgery is resection and advancement of
the medial rectus and recession of the lateral rectus in
the non-preferred eye.

Diagnosis
Secondary exotropia.

368

CASE 6: Exotropia after a slipped medial rectus muscle
Clinical picture
A B
Limited adduction, more pronounced in the left eye in a 14-year-old boy with slipped medial recti after bime-
dial rectus recession done at age 1 year for congenital esotropia. A, dextroversion; B, levoversion
History
This 14-year-old boy had bimedial rectus reces-
sion for congenital esotropia at age 1 year. The eyes
turned out a few months after surgery and he has had
a gradually increasing exotropia for the past 10 years.
He now comments that his friends notice his eye
being out. This has been a concern to both the patient
and his parents for the past several years.
Examination
An exotropia of 45 prism diopters is measured
in the distance, and this increases to 55 prism diopters
at near in the primary position. Visual acuity is 20/20
in the right eye and 20/40 in the left with the visual
reduction due to slight amblyopia. The salient feature
in this case is reduced adduction in both eyes. Even
with maximum attempts at adduction, a prominent
rim of sclera shows medially, indicating that the
medial recti are underacting.
Diagnosis
Secondary exotropia after surgery for esotropia,
and in addition a suspicion that the medial recti have
slipped backward from their point of reinsertion.
Treatment/Surgery
Advancement and resection of both medial recti
based on the findings at surgery.
Comment
This type of reoperation cannot be subject to a
cookbook type of answer. The type and amount of
surgery required depend on the findings at surgery. In
cases such as this the passive ductions are usually
Strabismus case management
free, but this must always be confirmed at surgery.
When exploring these medial recti, their intended
point of reinsertion, if known, should be inspected
meticulously. If the medial rectus is where it belongs
at the intended or at least at a reasonable recessed
position, muscle tissue should be seen at this point. In
the case of a slipped muscle, muscle tissue will not be
seen here. Instead an empty muscle capsule will
firmly adhere to the globe. With careful dissection
this can be followed posteriorly to the muscle tissue
which is often found excessively recessed to a point
at or posterior to the equator. At surgery this muscle
must be engaged on a muscle hook, secured with a
suture, and brought forward to a point at or near the
original muscle insertion. In most cases it is difficult
to bring the muscle up to a point 5.5 mm from the
limbus (the usual original insertion.) Instead, the
muscle is reinserted 6 to 7 mm from the limbus, hav-
ing been advanced usually 5.0 mm or more. To
achieve sufficient effect, I usually include a resection
of the muscle with the advancement. For example, I
would do a 5.0 mm advancement and a 3.0 mm resec-
tion in this case. The final placement of the muscle
on the sclera is a matter of intraoperative judgement.
Slipped medial recti may be unilateral as well as
bilateral. In the case of a unilateral slipped medial
rectus, the exodeviation will be incommitant and
adduction will be deficient only on the side of the
slipped muscle. Slipped muscles happen, in my opin-
ion, because the surgeon places the suture too close to
the rectus muscle insertion before disinsertion. With
a slipped muscle, the suture is more likely to slip out
of the muscle than it is to break loose from sclera.
369
Chapter 16
CASE 7: Exotropia caused by a lost medial rectus muscle
Clinical picture
75 prism diopters right exotropia after a lost
right medial rectus muscle following bimedial
rectus recession at age 3 years.
History
This 27-year-old man had a bimedial rectus
recession for congenital esotropia at age 3 years.
Immediately after surgery the right eye became
exotropic and he was unable to move his right eye
toward his nose. Two subsequent surgeries at ages 4
and 10 were unsuccessful in aligning his eyes.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/400 in the right eye and
20/20 in the left eye. The right eye is densely ambly-
opic. The exotropia measures 75 prism diopters in
the primary position, but prism and cover testing is
difficult because of poor fixation with the right eye.
Ductions are normal in the left eye but adduction is
severely deficient in the right eye. Saccadic velocity
in the right eye during saccade to the left is reduced
and generated force is weaker on attempted adduction
of the right eye compared to the left. In left gaze the
exotropia is 90 prism diopters; it is only 30 in right
gaze.
Diagnosis
Presumed lost right medial rectus muscle.
Treatment/Surgery
Passive duction testing to confirm free adduc-
tion is followed by exploration of the medial globe,
searching for the medial rectus muscle. If the medial
rectus is found, it should be reattached to sclera at an
appropriate point, depending on the stiffness of the
muscle and the alignment produced by reattachment
370
of the muscle. If the medial rectus muscle cannot be
found after a reasonable search, a rectus muscle trans-
fer procedure may be done. If the lateral rectus mus-
cle has not been detached at previous surgery (as in
this patient), a full tendon transfer of the superior and
inferior rectus muscles to the medial rectus insertion
site can be done. If the lateral rectus has been
detached at a prior procedure, half of the superior and
inferior rectus muscle insertion can be shifted to the
medial rectus insertion (Hummelsheim procedure).
Another option is the empty Jensen procedure,
which uses a suture reinforced strip of sclera to join
the medial half of the superior and inferior rectus
muscles near the medial rectus insertion site (see
chapter 13).
Comment
The lost muscle is obviously not lost. It has
merely lost its attachment to sclera. The medial rec-
tus muscle is most prone to this complication because
it has no association with an oblique muscle as do the
other three rectus muscles. This oblique muscle
attachment of the other rectus muscles prevents them
from slipping behind posterior Tenons capsule into
the orbital fat space. When the medial rectus muscle
loses its attachment to the globe, it may retract into
the fat space outside of the posterior Tenons capsule.
This is more likely to happen when extensive dissec-
tion of the intermuscular membrane has been carried
out. A lost medial rectus muscle can be seen on an
orbital CT scan or MRI. This can show where the
muscle is in the orbit and if (where) it attaches to the
globe. The main requirement for approaching this
type of surgery is experience and patience on the part
of the surgeon. If the lateral rectus muscle is shown
to be contracted, as demonstrated by restricted pas-
sive adduction, it should be recessed before the lost
medial rectus is reattached or the appropriate muscle
transfer has been done. If a muscle transfer must be
done with a lateral rectus recession, the two lateral
anterior ciliary vessels of the vertical recti should be
spared. In one very special case of a lost medial rec-
tus surgery done with local anesthesia, I noted a dim-
ple in posterior Tenons capsule when the patient was
asked to adduct the eye. Dissection over this dimple
revealed the medial rectus, which was then reattached
to the globe. This produced alignment and full
adduction!
 Strabismus case management

CASE 8: V pattern exotropia with overaction

of the inferior obliques

Clinical picture

A B

D E

V pattern exotropia with bilateral overaction of the inferior obliques. A, up right gaze;
B, up left gaze; C, primary position; D, upgaze; E, downgaze

371
Chapter 16
History
This 10-year-old girl had bimedial rectus reces-
sion for congenital esotropia at 1 year of age. Both
medial recti were recessed 10.0 mm from the limbus
for 45 prism diopters of esotropia. She did well for
several years but now the family notices that one of
her eyes goes out of sight at times. They could not
be any more specific or explain precisely when or
how they notice this.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/30 in each eye while wear-
ing a low hyperopic-astigmatic correction. The prin-
cipal positive finding is marked elevation of each eye
in adduction (strabismus sursoadductorius) with over-
action of the inferior obliques. In addition, a V pat-
tern is present with 30 prism diopters of esotropia in
downgaze. Cover-uncover testing of each eye in the
primary position demonstrates only the slightest trace
of DVD . While the patient fixates with either eye in
adduction, the abducted fellow eye does not become
hyperdeviated under cover (as it would if DVD were
a major factor) but instead is hypodeviated. There is
minimal apparent underaction of the superior oblique
and ductions are otherwise normal, as is the remain-
der of the eye examination.
Diagnosis
V pattern exotropia with bilateral overaction
of the inferior obliques after bimedial rectus recession
for congenital esotropia.
372
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral inferior oblique weakening. My pre-
ferred technique for this is bilateral inferior oblique
myectomy.
Comment
Overaction of the inferior obliques occurs fre-
quently after bimedial rectus recession, occasionally
in congenital esotropia that has not had surgery and
also as an isolated primary finding without other stra-
bismus. It is certainly legitimate to ask the question,
Does the inferior oblique truly overact? In my
opinion, the inferior oblique probably does overact
but only insofar as its relationships to other structures
around the eye allow it. For example, after a bimedi-
al rectus recession, the inferior oblique overacts by
assuming more presence as an abductor as a result of
the altered muscle insertion relationship caused by
retroplacement of the medial recti. This, I believe, is
the reason for the exotropia in upgaze producing the
V pattern. Capo and Guyton have shown this con-
vincingly. On the other hand, primary overaction of
the inferior obliques in cases without prior bimedial
rectus recession is, in my opinion, due to undercheck-
ing by the superior oblique tendon as occurs with
congenital superior oblique palsy caused by an anom-
alous loose tendon. Other instances of presumed
inferior oblique overaction are due at least in part to
DVD. In cases where overaction of the inferior
obliques is associated with DVD and a V pattern,
inferior oblique anterior transposition is the proce-
dure of choice.

CASE 9: Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD)
Clinical picture
Left DVD in a 5-year-old boy 3 years after bimedial rectus
recession for congenital esotropia.
History
This 5-year-old boy had bimedial rectus reces-
sion for congenital esotropia at age 18 months. His
eyes remained aligned for several years, but recently
his mother has noticed that the left eye goes way
up, especially when the boy is tired or inattentive.
His mother estimates the left eye is deviated upward
more than 50% of the time.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in the right eye and 20/40
in the left with best correction. A mild amblyopia is
present in the left eye. On casual observation the eyes
look aligned, but at other times the left eye is up,
resulting in approximately 15 prism diopters of
hyperdeviation. When the right eye is occluded it is
approximately 5 prism diopters hyperdeviated. With
the cover removed the eye moves briskly down
toward the primary position with incycloduction.
When the cover is placed over the eye again the right
eye moves slowly upward with excycloduction. A
similar but larger hyperdeviation with similar cyclo-
ductions occurs when the left eye is occluded. When
the occluder is removed the left eye moves slowly to
the primary position with incycloduction. Latent nys-
tagmus of very low amplitude can be detected in the
fixing eye when either eye is occluded. No A or V
pattern is observed, and none of the oblique muscles
overacts.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Dissociated vertical deviation, left eye greater
than right eye, manifest left eye.
Treatment
In cases where DVD is asymmetrical and is
never or seldom present with a given eye fixing, fix-
ation with this eye is encouraged and no further treat-
ment may be needed. However, if the DVD is mani-
fest sufficiently often to cause distress to the patient,
then surgical treatment is indicated.
Surgery
Asymmetrical large recession of the superior
recti. The left superior rectus is recessed 7.0 mm and
the right superior rectus is recessed 5.0 mm.
Comment
Because of the peculiar manifestation of DVD
as an intermittent vertical vergence occurring in
patients with imperfect fusion, the surgical treatment
of DVD cannot be expected to be specific, clear cut,
or universally effective. On the contrary, surgical
treatment is only moderately successful and is defi-
nitely not the subject of widespread agreement among
strabismologists. Some surgical options include:
large superior rectus recession, maximal hang
back superior rectus recession, superior rectus poste-
rior fixation suture with or without recession, inferior
373
Chapter 16

rectus resection, and inferior oblique anterior transpo-
sition. Superior rectus recession is the most com-
monly employed procedure for most patients who
have DVD requiring surgery. I rarely do this surgery
unilaterally. For persistent DVD after superior rectus
recession, I do inferior rectus resection. If a V pat-
tern and inferior oblique overaction are present with
DVD, I do bilateral inferior oblique anterior transpo-
sition as the first surgical procedure. It must be made
perfectly clear that the mere presence of DVD is not
reason for surgery. More than half of all congenital
esotropia patients have some DVD after surgery,
including even those with the best results. Surgery
for DVD is indicated only if a hyperdeviation is man-
ifest sufficiently often and the deviation large enough
to compromise appearance.
DVD is, in my opinion, a nonspecific manifes-
tation of imperfect binocularity. It occurs most often
in the most common manifestation of imperfect
binocularity, congenital esotropia. However, DVD
can accompany any type of strabismus. It tends to
develop in longer standing cases and those with more
profound defects in binocularity. In other cases DVD
can occur in patients with gross stereopsis. DVD is to
strabismus as hyperpyrexia (fever) is to infection.

A B

A, A manifest left hypertropia. Cover/uncover testing shows a typical, unequal (OD<OS) DVD. B, When the eyes
are uncovered, they are aligned.
This 10-year-old girl manifests a 20 prism diopter left hyperdeviation shown immediately after a cover was removed.
The girl and her parents see this only rarely, such as when the child is ill with a fever. They never see the right eye
up. However, a slight right DVD can be elicited with the cover test. In this case, no surgery is indicated.

374

CASE 10: A esotropia after bimedial rectus recession
Clinical picture
A B
A esotropia
A 25 prism diopters esotropia in primary position
B 35 prism diopters esotropia in upgaze
C Eyes are aligned in downgaze
History
A 10-year-old boy gradually developed a lazy
eye according to his mother. The boy had bimedial
rectus recession to 9.5 mm from the limbus for 35
prism diopters of congenital esotropia at age 20
months. The deviation is especially bad when he
looks up. The boy assumes a chin-up position and
always seems to be looking down his nose at people,
according to his mother.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/30 in each eye. The eyes are
35 prism diopters esotropic in upgaze and are aligned
in 30 degrees of downgaze at distance measurement.
In the primary position, 25 prism diopters of esotropia
is measured. There is no overaction of the superior
obliques and no underaction of the inferior obliques.
The wings seem to stand up on the stereo fly test
(gross stereopsis - 3000 sec) with the chin up and eyes
in downgaze.
Diagnosis
A pattern esotropia without oblique muscle
overaction or underaction
Treatment/Surgery
Re-recess both medial recti 2 mm with one
half to three quarters muscle width upshift.
Strabismus case management
C
Comment
An A pattern vertical incomitance may occur
with or without apparent superior oblique muscle
overaction. On the other hand, V pattern is almost
always associated with overaction of the inferior
obliques. A pattern without superior oblique over-
action occurs in some cases when the medial recti
have been recessed. The pattern probably is due to
altered mechanics, as is the case in my opinion with
most apparent oblique muscle overaction causing
greater exodeviation (less esodeviation) in upgaze or
downgaze. The principle of vertical displacement of
the horizontal recti can be applied in any vertical
incomitance occurring without oblique dysfunction.
The medial recti are moved to the closed end and
the lateral recti are moved to the open end. The
usual amount of vertical shift is one-half to one
muscle width.
375
Chapter 16
CASE 11: A exotropia after bimedial rectus recession
Clinical picture
A B
A exotropia after bimedial rectus recession
A upgaze
B primary position
C downgaze.
History
This 4-year-old girl had recession of both medi-
al recti to 9.5 mm from the limbus at age 11 months.
Gradually since that time she has been noted by her
parents to be wall eyed when she looks down to eat
or to look at books. Her parents say she holds her
chin down a lot and tends to look up.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/40 in each eye with linear E
vision testing. Refraction after cycloplegia is OD
+1.75 and OS +1.25. The eyes are aligned in the pri-
mary position. Five prism diopters of esotropia is
measured in upgaze and 60 prism diopters of
exotropia is measured in downgaze. The superior
obliques are 2+ overacting. Stereo acuity is nil. The
remainder of the eye examination is unremarkable.
Diagnosis
A exotropia after bimedial rectus recession
with overaction of the superior oblique muscles.
376
C
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral superior oblique weakening (tenecto-
my or recession).
Comment
When instead of an esodeviation in upgaze, as
occurs in the preceding case, an exodeviation in
downgaze occurs, causing an A pattern, a different
surgical approach is indicated. My choice, in this
case, would be bilateral weakening of the superior
obliques if the eyes were aligned or nearly so, as
shown in the case above. If, on the other hand, an
exodeviation greater than 10 or 15 prism diopters is
present in the primary position, bilateral lateral rectus
recession of a small amount (3 to 4 mm) is combined
with a one-half to one muscle width downshift.
In this case, even though the superior obliques
are overacting because of the altered medial rectus
insertion, they are weakened. This will balance the
muscle forces as they are so as to achieve alignment.

CASE 12: Basic pattern intermittent exotropia
Clinical picture
A B
Cover testing reveals 25 prism diopter intermittent exotropia at near.
A 30 prism diopter exotropia at distance
B straight eyes near
History
This 9-year-old girl was brought in by her par-
ents, who report that their daughters eye had wan-
dered out occasionally from the time she started
walking. They now see the left eye out 30% to 50%
of the time.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/30-1 and OS 20/25-1.
Cycloplegic refraction is OD + 1.50 and OS + 1.00.
She fuses 6/9 stereo dots (80 seconds). The prism
and cover test shows exotropia of 30 prism diopters
in the distance and 25 prism diopters intermittent
exotropia at near. Near point of convergence is to the
bridge of the nose (<2 cm). No oblique over-or
underaction or A or V pattern is noted. The child
has no symptoms, but on direct questioning her par-
ents say she always closes the left eye when out-
doors in bright sunlight. The remainder of the eye
examination is normal.
Diagnosis
Basic pattern intermittent exotropia.
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral lateral rectus recession 6.0 mm.
Comment
This patient presents a typical clinical picture
of a child with basic intermittent exotropia. This may
be treated with bilateral lateral rectus recessions or
with a recession of the lateral rectus and a resection
of the medial rectus. I prefer to avoid resecting a
muscle if a successful result can be obtained with a
Strabismus case management
recession. A recession procedure is tissue sparing and
causes less redness and tissue heaping in the anterior
part of the eye.
This child has had a long history of intermittent
exotropia. It is likely that the deviation had been
intermittent at distance but it gradually decompensat-
ed to a nearly constant deviation. If this child had
been seen at age 3 instead of 9 years, a period of
observation would have been appropriate before
scheduling surgery. During the observation, parents
are instructed to chart their childs deviation. This
activity serves the dual purpose of marking the
behavior (and progress) of the deviation and ensuring
that the parents understand better the aims of surgery.
If in a case such as this an A or V pattern is pres-
ent, suitable oblique muscle weakening could be car-
ried out or, in the absence of oblique overaction, the
rectus muscle insertion could be shifted upward or
downward according to the pattern.
A B
A A 6-year-old girl is shown orthotropic at near.
B She is exotropic (measuring 30 prism diopters) 90% of
the time according to her parents. This moderate angle
intermittent exotropia will be adequately treated with a 6.0
mm bilateral lateral rectus recession. The percent of time
exodeviated does not influence the amount of surgery.
377
Chapter 16
CASE 13: Divergence excess intermittent exotropia
Clinical picture
A B
A The eyes are aligned at near.
B After dissociation with the cover test the eyes are 40 prism diopters exotropic and remain so until
the child blinks or is reminded this her eye is out.
History
Over the past 2 years, this 4-year-old girl has
been noted by her family to have an eye that wanders
out when she is tired and when she is looking in the
distance. Also, she closes her left eye almost con-
stantly in bright sunlight. The child has been other-
wise healthy and is doing well in preschool.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is 20/25 in each
eye. Retinoscopy after 1% Cyclogyl is OD +.50, OS
+.75. This patient fused 7/9 stereo dots (60 seconds),
and her eyes were aligned throughout the early part of
the examination. Cover testing revealed 40 prism
diopters of intermittent exotropia at distance.
Recovery is fairly brisk, but the left eye does remain
exodeviated through a blink and remains exodeviated
until the patient changes fixation, usually to near, or
her attention is called to the fact that the eye is out.
She experiences no diplopia during this manifest
phase. At near, prism and cover test measures 15
prism diopters of intermittent exotropia. Near point
of convergence is to the nose. The remainder of the
eye examination is completely normal. After wearing
a patch over the left eye for 1 hour, near cover testing
was repeated without allowing any binocular experi-
ence, and the near deviation remained 15 prism
diopters intermittent exotropia.
Diagnosis
Divergence excess intermittent exotropia.
378
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral lateral rectus recessing 7.0 mm.
Comment
This girl has a fairly classic intermittent
exotropia, which is classified as a divergence excess
intermittent exotropia because the distance deviation
is persistently larger than the near. If, after occlusion
of one eye for 1 hour cover testing at near carried out
without allowing the patient to become binocular had
resulted in a near deviation increasing to become
equal or nearly equal to the distance deviation, this
could be called a pseudo divergence excess intermit-
tent exotropia. If the distance and near deviation had
been equal from the outset, basic exotropia would be
the diagnosis. Most patients with intermittent
exotropia do well with surgery. However, patients
with divergence excess intermittent exotropia may
have esotropia at near postoperatively, producing
bothersome diplopia and requiring base-out prism.
Such treatment may be prolonged for a few weeks or
months. In a few cases it has been necessary to recess
one or both medial recti in older symptomatic
patients. This in turn could cause a return of the dis-
tance exodeviation. This response is rare. The
amount of surgery is dependent on the angle of devi-
ation. A smaller angle of exodeviation requires a
smaller amount of surgery and vice versa, but the tim-
ing of intermittent exotropia surgery is done on the
basis of how often the eye is deviated, not by how far
the eye is out.

CASE 14: Convergence insufficiency intermittent exotropia
Clinical picture
History
A 35-year-old woman was seen initially with a
complaint that her left eye jumped up and down
and that both eyes turned out. Mild ptosis of the left
upper lid was an incidental finding. This had been
present for many years, according to the patient, who
also stated that she saw double most of the time at
near. She particularly had trouble with reading, caus-
ing her great difficulty in her job as a secretary.
Examination
Visual acuity with myopic correction showed
OD 20/20 and OS 20/20, near 20/20. Her glasses
were OD -2.00 +0.50 X 180 degrees and OS -2.00
+0.50 X 180 degrees. Prism and cover measurement
at distance was 18 prism diopters of intermittent
exotropia and near 30 prism diopters of intermittent
exotropia. Near point of convergence was remote.
The patient fused 8/9 stereo dots (50 seconds). There
was slight overaction of the inferior oblique muscles,
producing a small V pattern. The remainder of the
eye examination was normal.
Diagnosis
Convergence insufficiency intermittent
exotropia.
Treatment
Near point of convergence push up exercises
can be helpful. Base-in prism is a possible short-term
treatment.
Strabismus case management
Surgery
Recession left lateral rectus 5 mm, resection
left medial rectus 5 mm, or bimedial rectus resection
5 mm.
Comment
Convergence insufficiency intermittent
exotropia usually occurs in adulthood but may be
seen in children. Symptoms are usually as noted
here; that is, trouble concentrating for a prolonged
period of time on near objects with or without diplop-
ia. The near point of convergence is routinely remote.
Often, as in this case, Stereo acuity is excellent.
However, this excellent potential for binocular vision
cannot be sustained comfortably for long periods.
Some patients with this type of problem are helped by
near point of convergence, pencil push up training.
This condition may be the one best treated with
orthoptic exercises. However, many patients are
unable to sustain comfortable near vision even with
orthoptic exercises, and surgery is needed in those
cases. Surgery may be a recess/resect procedure or a
bimedial rectus resection. These patients, especially
those having bimedial rectus resection, often have
significant overcorrection in the early postoperative
course. This requires temporary treatment with base-
out Fresnel prism and of course patience and time.
The recess/resect procedure has the advantage that it
produces incomitance that allows fusion with a slight
head turn. This more or less buys time while the
near overcorrection is resolving. The surgical treat-
ment of convergence insufficiency should be under-
taken only with the understanding that the postsurgi-
cal treatment course is complicated by varying peri-
ods of diplopia. Before deciding on the type of sur-
gery, the surgeon must recognize that a bimedial rec-
tus resection produces a postoperative condition
where, in the presence of an overcorrection, no head
posture can be assumed to avoid the diplopia.
Diplopia after bimedial rectus resection must either
be treated early on with prism or by occluding one
eye.
379
Chapter 16
CASE 15: Persistent diplopia after surgery for
intermittent exotropia
Clinical picture
A B
A, The eyes are aligned in the primary position; B, full abduction of the right eye; C, limited abduction of the left
eye
History
This 35-year-old woman had a resection of the
left medial rectus muscle and recession of the left lat-
eral rectus muscle for what she described as an inter-
mittent exotropia. Records from the previous surgery
were not available. She complains bitterly of diplop-
ia that is worse when she looks to the left. It is very
difficult for her to carry on her work as a bank teller
because of the diplopia. In order to maintain single
binocular vision she must turn her head to the left and
maintain eyes to the right.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye without cor-
rection. The near point of accommodation is satis-
factory, and the patient could read 20/20 at near easi-
ly. With 20 degrees of left face turn, 9/9 stereo acu-
ity is recorded (40 seconds). Prism and cover testing
reveals 5 prism diopters of esotropia in the primary
position. The eyes are aligned in right gaze and 20
prism diopters of esotropia is found in left gaze.
Abduction of the left eye is moderately restricted.
Saccadic velocity to the left is observed to be brisk
and equal to saccadic velocity to the right. Passive
abduction of the left eye was noted to be moderately
stiff. With a red lens over the right eye, the patient
observed diplopia starting at 10 degrees of dextrover-
sion and continuing through the primary position to
all fields of left gaze. Single vision was present
beginning at 10 degrees of dextroversion and contin-
uing to full dextroversion.
380
C
Diagnosis
Diplopia after recession-resection for intermit-
tent exotropia, presumably caused by a tight left
medial rectus muscle.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the left medial rectus muscle after
forced duction testing to confirm restriction of abduc-
tion.
Comment
In a case of diplopia after surgery for intermit-
tent exotropia such as this where ductions are defi-
nitely limited either because of mechanical restriction
or muscle weakness, prompt repeat surgery is indicat-
ed. This is in sharp contrast to the overcorrected
intermittent exotropia patient with perfectly free duc-
tions who should be treated conservatively, often for
periods of months, with prism for the diplopia. The
precise amount of surgery to be done in a case like
this cannot be determined arbitrarily on the basis of
the deviation. In most cases a small recession of the
previously resected muscle will suffice. This type of
case is ideally suited for an adjustable suture reces-
sion. Even after successful surgery such a patient
may be able to find diplopia by looking far to the
left. In cases like this, I stress to the patient that the
surgery is a success and that they should remain sat-
isfied as long as they must find the diplopia and the
diplopia does not find them!
 Strabismus case management

CASE 16: Congenital Brown syndrome

Clinical picture

A B

C D

Congenital Brown syndrome in left eye. A, The chin is up and pointing to the right;
B, downshoot of the left eye while attempting to look up and to the right; C, moder-
ate limitation of elevation left eye in upgaze; D, no limitation of elevation of the left
eye in abduction

History
Shortly after she started to walk, this 7-year-
old girl was noted by her parents to persistently keep
her chin up. The family also noticed that the left eye
looked different at times. This child has otherwise
been perfectly healthy with no ocular problems or
systemic complaints.
Examination
During casual observation of this patient while
obtaining this history she assumes a head posture
with her chin pointing slightly up and to the right.
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye. Stereo acuity is
measured to 40 seconds (9/9 dots). During versions,
the left eye did not elevate in adduction. The left eye
actually dips down below midline in dextroversion.
Elevation is moderately limited in straight upgaze
and is not limited in gaze up and to the left. The
remainder of the eye examination is normal. The
neck is supple with no apparent orthopedic cause for
the head posture. Because of the young patients lack
of cooperation, it is impossible to do forced duction
testing in the clinic. Finding a restriction on attempt-
ed passive elevation of the left eye in adduction
would have confirmed the diagnosis of Brown syn-
drome and would have differentiated it from left
inferior oblique palsy. However, given the rarity of
inferior oblique palsy compared to Brown syndrome
and the degree of limitation to elevation in straight
up gaze, the presumptive diagnosis of Brown syn-
drome can be made with confidence. Of course, this
must be confirmed by passive duction testing done in
the operating room before surgery.

381
Chapter 16
Diagnosis
Congenital Brown syndrome.
Treatment/Surgery
Exploration of the left superior oblique tendon,
find and treat any restriction
Comment
Brown syndrome is best thought of as a
mechanical restriction to the full separation of the
trochlea and the superior oblique insertion in eleva-
tion and adduction. It must be recognized that it can
have many causes and if it is to be cured, it will
require different treatments. Brown believed that an
abnormally restrictive sheath around the superior
oblique tendon, the principal structure connecting the
trochlea and the insertion of the superior oblique ten-
don into sclera was the cause of Brown syndrome.
Cutting the superior oblique tendon remains the most
effective way to relieve the restriction. In most cases
this would solve the problem if the restriction is
caused by a tendon or trochlear anomaly. The closer
to the trochlea the superior oblique tendon is cut, the
more likely the restriction is to be eliminated.
Postoperative superior oblique palsy occurs for the
same reason as the Brown is cured! About one-third
of patients having superior oblique tenectomy for
Brown syndrome have superior oblique underaction
postoperatively and need inferior oblique weakening
as a second procedure. For this reason, I do not rec-
ommend inferior oblique weakening at the same pro-
cedure as superior oblique tenectomy in treating
Brown syndrome. Use of a silicone expander to
lengthen the superior oblique tendon has been sug-
382
gested by Wright and is being done by many surgeons
with success.
A major frustration in the surgical management
of Brown syndrome is that passive ductions may be
freed at the time of surgery only to become severely
restricted again in the postoperative period. Because
of this, the eye may be sutured in the adducted ele-
vated position with a traction suture for several days
postoperatively. This apparently logical maneuver is
not done often. In rare cases of Brown syndrome,
disinsertion of the posterior seven-eighths of the
superior oblique tendon insertion has been effective.
This only underscores the fact that this condition,
which is really a physical sign rather than a disease
process, has multiple etiologies and should be expect-
ed to have multiple remedies.
I now prefer to treat Brown syndrome after
securing exposure of the entire tendon after a cuffed
superior limbal incision. This offers a good view of
the anatomy and enables specific treatment of the
cause of the Brown (see chapter 6 ).
In young children with Brown syndrome, an
indirect technique for performing the equivalent of
passive ductions is the differential intraocular pres-
sure test. A tonometer is used to record intraocular
pressure in the primary position and also during
attempts at elevating the left eye in adduction. A
pressure rise of 5 to 10 mm Hg on attempted eleva-
tion indicates that the inferior oblique is contracting
in the face of a nonyielding antagonist, implying a
mechanical restriction to elevation. If no pressure
rise occurs, a paresis of the inferior oblique is
inferred (see p.103).
 Strabismus case management

CASE 17: Acquired Brown syndrome

Clinical picture

A B C

D E

Acquired Brown syndrome of the right eye with limitation of elevation in adduction.
A primary position, eyes are aligned D normal upgaze
B elevation of the right eye limited in gaze up to the left E normal downgaze
C normal motility up and to the right

History
This 36-year-old woman noted the sudden
onset of diplopia only when looking up 4 months
ago. The diplopia typically lasted for a few hours
and then went away. It recurred on a daily basis and
now happens several times a day. The double vision
is associated with a full feeling in the corner of the
right eye, and she has heard a click and felt a rub
in the corner of the right eye during these episodes of
double vision. No other health problems are evident.
Examination
The initial eye examination was normal: 20/20
vision in each eye, stereoacuity at 9/9 dots (40 sec-
onds), and orthophoria is seen in the primary posi-
tion. After several minutes of testing versions, the
right eye suddenly became stuck and would not ele-
vate in adduction. At this time a soft nontender mass
could be felt just below the trochlear area at the inner
aspect of the junction of the medial and superior
orbital rim.
Diagnosis
Acquired Brown syndrome, probably cyst of
superior oblique tendon.
Treatment/Surgery
Exploration of the superior oblique tendon
after a cuffed limbal incision with excision of the
cyst.

383
Chapter 16
Comment
This case describes just one of many causes of
acquired Brown syndrome (see chapter 9) Other
somewhat similar cases that I have seen have been
associated with a painful or at least tender spot in the
area of the trochlea with a constant or intermittent
limitation of elevation. Tenderness associated with a
feeling of induration on palpation suggests inflamma-
tion. I have treated several such patients with injec-
tion of soluble steroid in the area of the trochlear cuff
but not into the trochlea itself. Several patients have
required repeated injections, but all cases have
resolved.
Acquired Brown syndrome from trauma to the
area of the trochlea and the superior oblique tendon
presents a formidable therapeutic challenge. Because
results of treatment of this and what has been called
canine tooth syndrome or Class VII superior oblique
CASE 18: Iatrogenic Brown syndrome
Clinical picture
A B
A 55-year-old woman with iatrogenic Brown syndrome of the right eye after superior oblique resection for right
superior oblique palsy. A, Eyes are aligned in primary position; B, right eye shows limited elevation in adduc-
tion; C, normal motility up and to the right.
Comment
This 55-year-old woman had right superior
oblique resection and right superior rectus recession
for class IV acquired superior oblique palsy (see p.
155). In spite of a small (6.0 mm) superior oblique
tuck, iatrogenic Brown syndrome of the right eye is
evident. Before the superior oblique resection, this
patient had 30 prism diopters of right hypertropia in
left gaze and slightly less in down right gaze. After
surgery the eyes were aligned in the primary position
and less than 5 prism diopters of intermittent right
hypertropia was measured in downgaze. The patient
is extremely pleased with the results of surgery and is
384
palsy are so disappointing, it is better to leave these
patients untreated, provided the symptoms are not too
great. The Brown syndrome caused by trauma to the
trochlear area tends to recur after surgery, producing
poor surgical results. Iatrogenic Brown syndrome
also occurs after too large a tuck or resection of the
superior oblique tendon. At reoperation to take down
a tuck or recess a previously resected tendon, the
amount of adhesions and therefore the difficulty of
exposure will depend largely on the care and preci-
sion of the original surgery. If the surgery had been
done primarily on the temporal side, near the superi-
or oblique insertion, the reoperation is much easier.
However, when significant scar and reaction is found
in the area of the tuck, a tenectomy can be done with
good results. It is best to avoid tucking the superior
oblique tendon medial to the superior rectus.
C
able to carry out her work as a cashier in a school
cafeteria symptom free. She is able to notice diplop-
ia looking up and to the left, but she has no difficulty
avoiding this field. Other patients with less Brown
syndrome after superior oblique shortening have
complained bitterly to the point of being incon-
solable. This points out the fact that tolerance of
patients to minor inconveniences in the postoperative
period varies greatly. For this reason, all of these
patients should be counselled thoroughly before sur-
gery. Iatrogenic Brown syndrome like this also tends
to lessen with time (see p. 395).

CASE 19: Duane syndrome with esotropia (class I)
Clinical picture
A B
A, Minimal narrowing of left palpebral fissure on right gaze; B, slight left esotropia in primary posi-
tion; C, limited abduction of the left eye; D, left face turn and right gaze to achieve comfortable sin-
gle binocular vision.
History
This 7-year-old boy was presented for exami-
nation by his parents because his first grade teacher
said that the boy turned his head constantly. In retro-
spect, the parents realized that they had also noted
this behavior but had not thought it to be significant.
Examination
The patients slight left face turn presents a typ-
ical picture that can be diagnosed at once by the expe-
rienced observer. With the head straightened, the left
eye becomes slightly esotropic. The left palpebral fis-
sure narrows somewhat on dextroversion and the left
eye fails to abduct fully on levoversion. The remain-
der of the eye examination is normal. Visual acuity is
20/20 in each eye, retinoscopy after 1% Cyclogyl is
OD +1.00, OS +1.00, and Stereo acuity, with left face
turn and eyes right, is at 9/9 dots (40 seconds).
Diagnosis
Duane syndrome with esotropia (class I).
Strabismus case management
C
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the left medial rectus.
Comment
These patients can do well with surgery.
However, it is necessary to tell the patient and/or the
family that the main reason for the surgery is to
improve head posture and allow the patient to have
straight eyes in the primary position with a straight
head. Abduction will not be improved. For this rea-
son, some surgeons suggest placing a posterior fixa-
tion suture on the contralateral (right in this case)
medial rectus. In mild esotropic Duane syndrome
(class I), some surgeons have recommended transfer-
ring the superior an inferior recti to the lateral rectus.
I have not done this and do not recommend it because
of the risk of producing and exotropic Duane (class
II) with severe enophtahlmos on attempted adduction
postoperatively and also the possibility of creating a
vertical deviation in the primary position. Class I
Duane syndrome and any of the types discussed sub-
sequently can be bilateral. In the case of bilateral
involvement, appropriate surgery is done on both
eyes.
385
Chapter 16

CASE 20: Exotropic Duane syndrome with limited adduction

(class II)

Clinical picture

B C

A, Primary position eyes are slightly exotropic; B, slightly limited abduction; C, limited
adduction with narrowing of th left palpebral fissure

History
This 10-year-old girl had no trouble with her
eyes, but her parents noted that at times her eyes did
not seem to work together and that she turned her face
to the right when reading. The left eye is also seen to
shoot up.
Examination
Observing this girl it is evident that she has a
10-degree right face turn. Testing of versions con-
firms reduced adduction of the left eye with narrow-
ing of the palpebral fissure and enophthalmos.
Upshoot of the left eye on adduction was observed.
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye. Retinoscopy after
1% Cyclogyl is OD +1.50 and OS +1.00 +.50 X 80
degrees. The remainder of the eye examination was
unremarkable. The stereo fly test indicated gross
stereopsis (3000 sec).
Diagnosis
Duane syndrome with exotropia and limited
adduction left eye (class II).
Treatment/Surgery
This patient may benefit from a right lateral
rectus recession alone. If the upshoot is a problem,
both the medial and lateral recti may be recessed. If
it is believed that this will produce too much exode-
viation, the lateral rectus of the sound eye may be
recessed.
Comment
The principal aim of this surgery is to achieve
normal head posture, maintain aligned eyes in the pri-
mary position, and reduce upshoots and downshoots
without disrupting fusion. Success can be measured
as a factor of how well these goals are met.

386
 Strabismus case management

CASE 21: Duane syndrome with straight eyes and limited

abduction and adduction (class III)
Clinical picture

B C

D E

A, In primary position, the eyes are aligned; B, left eye adduction is slightly limited with mild fissure
narrowing on the left; C, left eye abduction is moderately limited; D, elevation is intact; E, depres-
sion is intact.

History Diagnosis
This 15-year old boys left eye has always Duane syndrome with straight eyes and limited
looked funny, according to the family. He reports abduction and adduction (class III).
frequent double vision. At times the left eye seems to
go out of sight. Treatment/Surgery
Examination Recession of the left medial and left lateral rec-
tus muscles, or no surgery.
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye and
stereoacuity is 6/9 dots (80 seconds). Both abduction
and adduction are moderately limited. On extreme
attempts to adduct the left eye, it shoots up under the
upper lid and the pupil cannot be seen. If the eye
attempts to adduct while looking slightly below mid-
line, the eye shoots down but the cornea is less
obscured by the lower lid.* The eyes are aligned in
the primary position as the patient assumes a slight
right face turn.

*The up and down shoot are not shown in the clinical photographs. Actually this never occurs unless the patient makes it happen. The
patients main complaint is a feeling of tightness of the left eye.

387
Chapter 16

Comment
The principal reason for doing this surgery is to
reduce the enophthalmos and the upshoot (and down-
shoot). Weakening the two opposing rectus muscles
of the involved eye is designed to accomplish this
without adversely affecting the primary position
alignment. This type of Duane syndrome with severe
enophthalmos and up- and downshoots can also have
an esotropia in the primary position. If this is the
case, recessing the opposing horizontal recti will
mean that the esodeviation in the primary position
persists. When this type of patient is encountered, in
addition to recessing both horizontal recti in the
involved eye, the medial rectus of the uninvolved eye
is also recessed. The three recession procedure is not
commonly done but with this rare indication it is
effective.
To lessen the up- and downshoot associated
with this type of Duane syndrome,Y splitting of the
insertion of the lateral rectus muscle of the involved
eye may be done, with or without recession. Another
surgical treatment is to do a posterior fixation suture
on the lateral rectus of the involved eye. Both this
and the Y split are intended to keep the lateral rec-
tus from slipping above or below the horizontal plane
of the lateral rectus where it becomes either an ele-
vator or depressor.

B C

This 6-year-old girl has a more severe manifestation of straight-eyed Duane syndrome or
class III according to the Huber classification. She demonstrates the disappearing eye or
the pumpkin seed sign where the eye disappears usually beneath the upper lid on adduc-
tion. A, The eyes are aligned in the primary position; B, abduction in the left eye is limited;
C, during adduction the palpebral fissure narrows markedly and the left eye shoots up
under the lid because of the knife edge created by the nonyielding left lateral rectus in
response to the vigorous contraction of the left medial rectus.

388

CASE 22: Duane syndrome with simultaneous abduction
(class IV)
Clinical picture
A B
A, Large exotropia; B, the left eye abducts on dextroversion.
History
This 18-month-old boy was noted by his par-
ents to have widely divergent eyes that never worked
together from birth. The child was also diagnosed as
having arthrogryposis multiplex congenita at age 1
year.
Examination
This child had stiff joints, especially in the
hands. Vision appeared to be normal in each eye. An
exotropia of 50 prism diopters was present in the pri-
mary position with left eye fixation. On gaze to the
left the exotropia reduced to approximately 40 prism
diopters. On right gaze the exotropia increased to
more than 100 prism diopters because the left eye
abducted at the same time the right eye abducted in
the way it was expected to while looking to the right.
Diagnosis
Duane syndrome with simultaneous abduction
(perversion of the extraocular muscles) (class IV).
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of both lateral recti greater on the left
with resection of the left medial rectus.
Strabismus case management
Comment
This type of patient is very unusual; I have seen
only a handful in the past 40 years. The reason for the
simultaneous abduction seems to be misdirection of
the third nerve fibers from the medial rectus, which
innervate the lateral rectus, as is known to occur in
other Duane syndrome patients. Added to this condi-
tion is the fact that the involved eye is so far in abduc-
tion that when the co-contraction is initiated, the bal-
ance of forces is tipped over toward the lateral rectus,
which overcomes the opposing effort of the medial
rectus contraction. Repositioning the muscles at sur-
gery has no effect on the innervation pattern, meaning
that after alignment is obtained, if indeed this is even
possible, the problems of the co-contraction will
remain. However, if the exotropia is reduced sub-
stantially, simultaneous abduction should not occur
simply because of alteration of the mechanical lever
arm that is taken away in this case from the left later-
al rectus. This type of Duane syndrome with simul-
taneous abduction could be confused with congenital
third nerve palsy on the basis of the large exotropia.
Several points of difference include absence of ptosis
and normal pupil response. In addition, simultaneous
abduction is not a part of third nerve palsy, even with
misdirected regeneration of the third nerve fibers.
389
Chapter 16

CASE 23: Class I superior oblique palsy

Clinical picture

B C

A, The head is tilted left with slight chin depression. B, On upgaze to the left, moderate over-
action of the right inferior oblique can be seen. C, Motility is normal on gaze up and to the
right. Moderate facial asymmetry is characterized by a fuller face on the right.

History
This 34-year-old woman complained of vertical
diplopia that was better if she tilted her head to the
left and tipped her chin down. She is now concerned
because it is becoming more difficult for her to work
for long periods at a computer, a task that her job
requires.
Examination
Visual acuity is right eye 20/30-2 and left eye
20/40 corrected to 20/20 in each eye with -0.75
sphere. Versions show 2+ overaction of the right
inferior oblique with normal action of all other mus-
cles. Stereo acuity was 9/9 dots (40 seconds). Prism
and cover testing shows 10 prism diopters of right
hypertropia in the primary position, increasing to 14
prism diopters of right hypertropia in left gaze. A
small right hypertropia is measured in right and
downgaze, while 4 prism diopters of right hypertropia
is noted in upgaze. With the Bielschowsky head tilt,
the right hypertropia increases to 16 prism diopters on
right head tilt and decreases to 4 prism diopters right
hypertropia on head tilt to the left. No cyclotropia is
noted with double Maddox rod test. The remainder of
the eye examination is normal.

390
 Strabismus case management

Diagnosis
Class I right superior oblique palsy. oblique myectomy. Although it is likely that this is a
congenital superior oblique palsy because of the lax
Treatment/Surgery superior oblique traction test and absence of history
Right inferior oblique myectomy. for trauma, this type of picture, but with a normal
superior oblique tendon on traction testing, is seen
Comment very commonly in acquired superior oblique palsy. It
should be strongly emphasized here that the safest
This woman demonstrates a class I superior
surgical procedure for patients with superior oblique
oblique palsy producing a moderate-sized, incomitant
palsy is a weakening procedure of the antagonist infe-
right hypertropia manifesting principally as overac-
rior oblique. It is difficult to go wrong when this pro-
tion of the right inferior oblique. Traction testing of
cedure is done properly. Treatment other than an
the superior oblique at surgery demonstrated a lax
inferior oblique weakening in superior oblique palsy
superior oblique tendon on the right and a normal ten-
should be undertaken only after carefully analysis of
don on the left. Because of the small angle and min-
all measurements. These include especially the diag-
imal superior oblique findings as well as the fact that
nostic position prism and cover measurements and
the superior oblique had normal function and the infe-
the intraoperative superior oblique traction test find-
rior oblique overaction was the main motility prob-
ings.
lem, this patient was best treated with a right inferior

391
Chapter 16

CASE 24: Class II acquired oblique palsy

Clinical picture

This patients appearance is normal but he

complains of vertical diplopia.

History
This 87-year-old man began to note double
vision 6 weeks earlier. Images were separated verti-
cally, causing him difficulty in reading the newspaper
and in watching television. He also stopped driving
his automobile, which he used only for short daytime
trips in a familiar area. He states that he takes some
blood pressure medication prescribed by his internist
and that his blood pressure is satisfactorily con-
trolled. When the double vision started, this man was
referred to a neurologist by his internist. A CT scan
and MRI of the head were said to be normal. Lumbar
puncture findings, blood sugar testing, and EEG were
also within normal limits for a man of his age. When
all of these tests were found to be in the range of nor-
mal, the man was referred to a general ophthalmolo-
gist, who then referred the patient to me.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OD 20/40 and
OS 20/30. Slight lens opacities were thought to
account for the decrease in vision. Prism and cover
measurements were 6 prism diopters right hyper-
tropia in the primary position, 4 prism diopters in up
left gaze, and 10 prism diopters hypertropia in down
left gaze. Slight underaction of the right superior
oblique is noted on testing of versions. The right
inferior oblique did not overact. Five degrees of
excyclotropia of the right eye is seen on testing with
the double Maddox rod. Blood pressure in the left
arm was 134/88.
Diagnosis
Class II acquired right superior oblique palsy.
Treatment
Fresnel prism, 6 diopters base-down, right eye.
Surgery
None.
Comment
This is a typical pattern for acquired superior
oblique palsy resulting from a presumed microvascu-
lar accident. These patients usually do very well
with temporary prism. The deviation often resolves
completely and prism therapy can be discontinued.
If this does not happen, permanent prism can be
given. The extensive work-up in this case was not
necessary. Such an exercise should be avoided on
the basis of the unnecessary expense and the incon-
venience to the patient. A curious thing happened
when the patients son was told that his father had
superior oblique palsy. Is that like a trochlear
palsy? the son asked. This mans son had looked up
the symptoms his father complained of in the Merck
Manual* and had arrived at the proper diagnosis. A
similar level of clinical acumen on the part of the
patients internist and neurologist would have spared
the patient a great deal of expense and inconven-
ience.

*Berkow R, editor: The Merek Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, ed 15, Rathway, NJ, 1987, Merck Sharp & Dohme. Today, the son
would have obtained this kind of information on the Internet.

392
 Strabismus case management

CASE 25: Large-angle class III congenital superior

oblique palsy

Clinical picture

A, Abnormal head posture with the head tilted to the left and the chin depressed. The face
is fuller on the right. B, The Bielschowsky head tilt test is positive for a right superior
oblique palsy, as indicated by increased right hypertropia on right head tilt when compared
to left head tilt. C, There is moderate underaction of the right superior oblique compared to
the left superior oblique which appears to overact with slight underaction of the right inferior
rectus.

393
Chapter 16

History
This 36-year-old woman has been bothered by
a deviating right eye since early childhood. She has
had diplopia for as long as she can remember but was
able to tilt her head to relieve it. She has worn prism
glasses for many years. Her friends and associates at
work comment on the fact that she tilts her head con-
stantly.

Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OD 20/30-2 and OS
20/20. Glasses are OD -1.00 +0.50 X 60 degrees and
OS -1.00 X 100 degrees with 3 diopters of base-
down prism in the right lens. Prism and cover meas-
urements are 20 prism diopters of right hypertropia in
the primary position, increasing to a maximum of 35
prism diopters in up left gaze and 38 prism diopters
right hypertropia in down left gaze. Five degrees of
excyclotropia is measured with the double Maddox
rod. With the Bielschowsky head tilt test, there is
right hypertropia of 40 on right tilt and 15 on left
head tilt. There is 2+ overaction of the right inferior
oblique and 2+ underaction of the right superior
oblique. Stereoacuity is nil. The remainder of the
examination is normal.
Diagnosis
Superior oblique palsy, class III, probably con-
genital.
Treatment/Surgery
Right superior oblique resection, right inferior
oblique myectomy.
Comment
This patient has a classic congenital superior
oblique palsy persisting into adulthood. At surgery, a
long redundant right superior oblique tendon was
found. This was associated with a -4 (loose) superi-
or oblique traction test on the right compared with a
normal superior oblique traction test on the left. This
type of patient does well with a tuck or resection of
the superior oblique tendon. This is in contrast to the
usual acquired superior oblique palsy patient who,
because of an anatomically normal superior oblique
tendon is much more likely to have a Brown syn-
drome after tuck or resection of the superior oblique
tendon. I avoid tuck or resection of the superior
oblique tendon in an acquired superior oblique palsy.
This patient postoperatively had a moderate limita-
tion of elevation in adduction in the right eye (Brown
syndrome), but it did not bother her except when
looking up and to the left, a field of gaze that she can
easily avoid. Her stereoacuity was nil preoperative-
ly. It improved to fusion of the stereo fly (3000 sec-
onds) after surgery. The patient had a small residual
intermittent right hypertropia measuring 6 to 8 prism
diopters in the primary position, but she controlled
this easily and without symptoms.

A B

A, Viewed from below, the superior oblique traction test of the right eye is -4; that is, the globe is pushed back in the
orbit with only a faint tactile evidence of the band formed by the superior oblique tendon between the trochlea and the
insertion.. B, In contrast, the left superior oblique traction test is normal. A band of superior oblique tendon could be
felt. Note that the cornea is still visible on the normal left side (see p. 97).

394
 Strabismus case management

CASE 26: Large class IV acquired superior oblique palsy

Clinical picture

A B

A, Right hypertropia; B, overaction of the right inferior oblique.

History
This 52-year-old woman sustained closed head
trauma 24 months earlier in a motor vehicle accident.
Since that time, she has been bothered by constant
vertical diplopia. She is wearing heavy prism in her
glasses. She wants to be rid of the prism and seeks
treatment for her vertical diplopia.

Examination
Visual acuity with correction is right eye 20/20
and left eye 20/20 while wearing OD +2.00+1.50 X
22 degrees and OS +1.00+2.00 X 165 degrees. There
is 9 diopters of base down prism in the right lens and
8 diopters of base-up prism in the left lens. The glass-
es are physically very heavy. Prism and cover testing
shows 25 prism diopters of right hypertropia in the
primary position increasing to 30 in left gaze and
decreasing to 18 in right gaze. The right hypertropia Diagnosis
is 24 in down left gaze and 22 in down right gaze.
Eight degrees of right excyclotropia is measured. The Class IV acquired right superior oblique palsy.
right hypertropia increases with right head tilt. Two
plus overaction of the right inferior oblique and 1+ Treatment/Surgery
underaction of the right superior oblique are noted. Right superior oblique resection, right superior
The patient fuses 6/9 stereo dots (80 seconds) with rectus recession.
her prism glasses.

395
Chapter 16
Comment
This patient had a spread of comitance because
she had contracture of the right superior rectus mus-
cle. This caused the right eye to hang up in down
right gaze. The surgery done on this patient was
aimed at decreasing the hypertropia in left gaze by
resecting the right superior oblique tendon and
decreasing the hypertropia in right gaze by recessing
the presumably tight right superior rectus. A small,
6.0 mm resection of the right superior oblique tendon
was done. This muscle was chosen for resection
instead of weakening the right inferior oblique
because strengthening the superior oblique would be
more likely to eliminate the 8 degrees of excyclotor-
sion. However, weakening the antagonist inferior
oblique would be a reasonable choice. The incyclo-
torsion effect of strengthening the right superior
oblique is greater than the excyclotorsion that would
be produced by recessing the superior rectus. This
case stresses the importance of carefully assessing the
diagnostic position measurements in a superior
oblique palsy in order to design a surgical procedure
to create postoperative comitance. Postoperatively
this patient had a mild iatrogenic Brown syndrome
but she was not bothered by it. This case was done
396
before I recognized the value of the preoperative
superior oblique traction test. Now I would avoid
even a small superior oblique resection with a normal
tendon weakening the ipsilteral inferior oblique
instead. Another significant postoperative event
occurred with this patient. Two days after surgery the
patient called the office distraught, saying that her
eyes were worse than before surgery and that she was
sorry she had the operation. The patient was, of
course, seen immediately. We were reminded to our
chagrin of the 17 diopters of prism (to correct the
right hypertropia) in her glasses, which she had to
wear in order to see! Since the surgery had reduced
the vertical deviation to a small intermittent right
hypertropia, the preoperative prisms were creating
diplopia! Our policy now is to send such patients
home from surgery with Fresnel prism to temporarily
offset permanent prism in the glasses that were appro-
priate preoperatively. In this patient, we were guilty
of an oversight. The surgeon and staff should be sure
to make provisions to nullify the unneeded prism by
adding to the patients present glasses offsetting
Fresnel prism for wear in the immediate postopera-
tive period (see p. 384).
 Strabismus case management

CASE 27: Bilateral superior oblique palsy

Clinical picture

A B

C D

E F

With her chin down and looking up, this patient is able to nearly fuse. A slight horizontal
diplopia persists. A definite V pattern is present. Both superior obliques underact but
more so on the left. A, Chin down in primary position; B, exotropia in upgaze; C, normal
up-right gaze; D, normal up left gaze; E, esotropia in downgaze (V pattern); F, underac-
tion of the left superior oblique.

History
This 28-year-old woman was involved in a
motor vehicle accident 3 1/2 years before being seen
by us. She had been comatose for 3 days after the
accident. Since the time she regained consciousness,
she has had diplopia. The only relief for the diplopia
is to patch one eye. The images are closer together
when she puts her chin down and looks upward, but
even then some horizontal diplopia persists. At times,
images appear tilted.
Examination
Visual acuity without correction is right eye
20/25-2 and left eye 20/20. Prism and cover test in
the primary position shows 10 prism diopters of
esotropia in the distance and 12 prism diopters of
esotropia at near. In right gaze the esotropia is 10
prism diopters and in left gaze it is 16 prism diopters
with 10 prism diopters of right hypertropia. With
right head tilt 16 prism diopters of esotropia and 2
prism diopters of right hypertropia is noted. On left
head tilt, 16 prism diopters of esotropia and 4 prism
diopters of left hypertropia is noted. With a double
Maddox rod, 17 degrees of excyclotropia is measured
in the primary position. Versions show moderate
underaction of the right superior oblique and marked
underaction of the left superior oblique with no over-
action of the inferior obliques. The remainder of the
eye examination is unremarkable.
Prism and cover testing in the nine diagnostic
positions is very difficult in bilateral superior oblique
palsy and is actually unnecessary either for diagnosis
or for planning treatment. The measurements shown
above are sufficient.

397
Chapter 16
Diagnosis
Bilateral superior oblique palsy.
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral inferior rectus recession 5.0 to 6.0 mm
combined with anterior and temporal transposition of
the anterior half of the superior oblique insertion is a
first choice for treatment. Do not tuck the superior
oblique tendons; this will cause a bilateral Brown.
Some would weaken both inferior obliques. The
medial recti could be shifted down without recession.
Comment
This patient demonstrates the typical clinical
findings of bilateral superior oblique palsy. These
include a history of closed head trauma, spontaneous
torsional diplopia, V pattern, and reversing
Bielschowsky test. Bilateral superior oblique palsy
represents a serious therapeutic challenge. The safest
initial procedure is to do a bilateral inferior rectus
recession. This will help to open up the V and some Brown syndrome and have resulted in only a
should have some beneficial effect on the cyclotropia.
However, in this patient, with no overaction of the
inferior obliques, the result of inferior oblique weak-
ening might be disappointing. Tucking of a superior
oblique in an acquired case presents the risk of pro-
ducing a Brown syndrome. A bilateral anterior and
temporal shift of the anterior fibers of the superior
oblique may be the best treatment in that it gives the
patient the opportunity to be free of cyclodeviation
with only minimal risk of a postoperative Brown. In
this patients case, since there is esotropia even in
upgaze, she has no place to fuse! Some cases of bilat-
eral superior oblique palsy are able to fuse in far
upgaze, which tends to give a better starting point for
obtaining a bifoveal fusion result in a useful field.
Bilateral superior oblique palsy, like bilateral
sixth nerve and third nerve palsy, presents a special
398
- appears XT in far up gaze
therapeutic challenge since these conditions are often
associated with severe head trauma, which in turn can
lead to central disruption of fusion and produce a sit-
uation where the patient may have a secondary devi-
ation in all fields of gaze.
Strengthening of the superior oblique has its
own unique problems related to the special anatomy
of the superior oblique tendon. I recently did a bilat-
eral superior oblique tuck in a 4-year-old girl with a
V pattern, a chin-down posture, and 4+bilateral
inferior oblique overaction. The usual diagnosis in
this type of case is primary overaction of the inferi-
or obliques. At surgery, this child had bilateral -4
(very loose) superior oblique traction tests.
Postoperatively she continued to manifest a fairly
large V pattern and bilateral inferior oblique weak-
ening was required. As a contrast in other cases of
bilateral superior oblique palsy after trauma, small
bilateral superior oblique tucks have caused trouble-
small window of single binocular vision.
In some patients with bilateral superior oblique
palsy one side can be masked by a greater deviation
on the other side. Patients who have atypical unilat-
eral superior oblique palsy findings, including a head
tilt test that shows a moderate hyperdeviation on tilt
toward the involved side and no or almost no devia-
tion on tilt toward the other side, with a history of
head trauma and cyclodiplopia should be suspect for
masked bilateral superior oblique palsy. If bilateral
masked superior oblique palsy is suspected, surgery
may be done as for bilateral superior oblique palsy,
with the provision that more surgery per muscle or
more muscles be treated on the more affected side.
As an alternative, the more involved side can be treat-
ed at the initial procedure and the less involved side
treated appropriately at a second procedure.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 28: Canine tooth syndrome: class VII

superior oblique palsy

Clinical picture

A B

This patient has canine tooth syndrome A, the eyes are aligned in the primary position, note the diagonal
scar across the forehead ending at the trochlea. B, limited elevation of the left eye in adduction. C, normal
elevation of the left eye in abduction

History
This 11-year-old boy was attacked by a large
German Shepherd dog. He was bitten around the left
eye. Repair of the skin was carried out immediately
after the injury. When the swelling around the left
eye subsided, the boy noted that things looked double
when he looked up or down.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye. Cycloplegic
retinoscopy is plano. With slight chin depression
stereo acuity is 9/9 (40 seconds). On testing of ver-
sions, movement of the left eye is limited in both ele-
vation and depression in adduction. In addition, the
intraocular pressure in the left eye is more than 10
mm Hg elevated in the left eye compared to the right
eye on attempts to elevate and depress the eye, imply-
ing restriction of eye rotation in the face of normal
generated force. The remainder of the eye examina-
tion is normal.

399
Chapter 16
Diagnosis
Canine tooth syndrome: class VII superior
oblique palsy.
Treatment/Surgery
Surgery could be done depending on the
patients symptoms. If surgery is elected, an attempt
could be made to free the adhesions around the supe-
rior oblique tendon. A tenectomy of the superior
oblique near the trochlea (producing superior oblique
palsy) and a weakening of the antagonist inferior
oblique (treating superior oblique palsy) is a treat-
ment option. If this does not treat the palsy com-
pletely, a recession of the yoke inferior rectus could
be added. If the patient does well in the primary posi-
tion, no treatment may be indicated.
400
Comment
This condition, first described by Philip Knapp,
can occur after trauma in the area of the superior
oblique tendon and trochlea and affect eye movement
on a strictly mechanical basis. In other cases it can be
associated with superior oblique palsy, plus mechani-
cal limitation of elevation from iatrogenic causes or
from the trauma that directly or indirectly caused the
superior oblique palsy. The mechanical limitation to
elevation in adduction (Brown syndrome) is easiest to
eliminate when it has occurred after a tuck or resec-
tion of the superior oblique (iatrogenic Brown syn-
drome). In the case described here, the patient
retained excellent fusion in the primary position and
did not want surgery. Attempts at improving motility
by means of surgery could make such a patient worse
and should therefore be avoided unless a very trou-
blesome head posture is adopted or if diplopia is trou-
blesome.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 29: Congenital absence of the superior oblique tendon

Clinical picture

A B

A, Pronounced underaction of the left superior oblique on testing versions in a patient who at surgery was found to
have no left superior oblique tendon. B, A patient with Crouzon anomaly demonstrating marked overaction of the left
inferior oblique had bilateral absence of the superior oblique tendons confirmed at surgery.

History
Both of the patients shown were known to have
extreme vertical deviations which were variable.
They were brought for examination by their parents
because of this.
Examination
When a patient with presumed congenital supe-
rior oblique palsy is seen with pronounced underac-
tion of the superior oblique, this should raise suspi-
cion that the superior oblique tendon could be absent.
Two signs that point to the possibility of this occur-
ring in a patient with congenital superior oblique
palsy are: horizontal strabismus, and amblyopia.
Facial asymmetry is a nearly constant finding in
patients with congenital superior oblique palsy with
an anomalous tendon. Patients with severe craniofa-
cial anomalies such as patients with Crouzon anom-
aly shown here, are more likely to have absence of the
superior oblique tendon if they manifest superior
oblique palsy signs. As is so often the case, absence
of the superior oblique tendon was encountered ini-
tially in this type of worst case scenario. Later,
absence of the superior oblique tendon was noted in
less severely affected patients. In addition to being
more likely to have a superior oblique tendon anom-
aly, patients with congenital superior oblique palsy
frequently have facial asymmetry. The fuller face is
on the involved side. This occurrence is not fully
explained, but it seems the facial asymmetry is caused
by postural factors; i.e., the chronic head tilt.
Treatment/Surgery
When no superior oblique tendon is found at
surgery, it is necessary to weaken and strengthen
available vertically acting muscles to produce the
most favorable alignment. The following sequence
for extraocular muscle surgery is logical: (1) Weaken
the antagonist inferior oblique, (2) weaken the yoke
of the absent superior oblique (contralateral inferior
rectus), (3) weaken the ipsilateral superior rectus, and
(4) strengthen the contralateral superior rectus. To
this scheme could be added horizontal rectus surgery
of sufficient amount to treat any horizontal strabis-
mus. It is usually sufficient to operate on only two
vertical muscles at the first procedure.
Comment
Patients with absence of one or both superior
oblique tendons usually do not have normal bifoveal
fusion even with head tilt. This is in contrast to most
acquired and those less severely affected congenital
superior oblique palsy patients, who usually have
bifoveal fusion when they assume appropriate head
posture.

401
Chapter 16

CASE 30: Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves ophthalmopathy)

Clinical picture

B C

Left hypotropia greater in upgaze also with retraction of the left upper lid, Graefes sign.
A, Left hypotropia fixing with the right eye. B, The left eye depresses more than the right
eye on downgaze. C, Elevation of the left eye is limited.

History
This 36-year-old airplane mechanic began
noticing vertical diplopia 6 months ago. At the begin-
ning, he was able to see one object by raising his chin
to look downward. This strategy is no longer effec-
tive and his double vision is constant. He is otherwise
in good health except for exogenous obesity (67 inch-
es tall, 280 pounds). He has no signs of hyperthy-
roidism, and none were found earlier during routine
laboratory tests obtained by his internist.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye without cor-
rection. Vertical diplopia is experienced in all fields.
The left eye is hypodeviated approximately 20 prism
diopters in the primary position. This appears to be a
larger deviation because of contraction of the left
upper lid. When attempting to look up, the left eye
lags behind the right eye. The left hypotropia persists
in downgaze but is of lesser magnitude. Ductions are
normal in the right eye.
After the conjunctiva of the left eye was anes-
thetized with proparacaine hydrochloride, passive
ductions were done and found to be severely restrict-
ed to elevation in the left eye. Intraocular pressure
was 17 mm Hg in both eyes in downgaze. The pres-
sure in the left eye rose to 40 mm Hg on attempted
upgaze, while the pressure in the right eye rose only
slightly (to 20 mm Hg in upgaze.)
Diagnosis
Euthyroid Graves (thyroid) ophthalmopathy
involving the left inferior rectus.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the left inferior rectus muscle with
(or without) an adjustable suture with smaller reces-
sion of the right inferior rectus if any restriction is felt
at the time of surgery.
Comment
In a patient like this, who has Graves (thyroid)
ophthalmopathy with the fellow eye apparently unin-
volved, recession of a single inferior rectus muscle
can be very effective. On the other hand, if the fellow
inferior rectus is restricted, even minimally, and only
the more involved inferior rectus is recessed, the
operated eye may become hypertropic postoperative-
ly with weakness of depression. This occurs because
the eye with the recessed inferior rectus is subjected
to the efforts of a secondary deviation when the
patient fixes with the unoperated but mildly restricted
fellow eye. When thyroid ophthalmopathy is bilater-
al, even though the involvement is minimal in the less
involved eye, recession should be done in both eyes
to avoid progressive overcorrection after inferior rec-
tus recession.

402
 Strabismus case management

CASE 31: Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves ophthalmopathy)

with postoperative slippage of the recessed inferior rectus
Clinical picture

A B

C D

Postoperative slippage of the left inferior rectus. A, Ten diopters left hypertropia in
primary position with ptosis of the left lower lid; B, limited depression of the left
eye. C, Reading is difficult because of increasing vertical diplopia from left hyper-
tropia in downgaze. D, Single binocular vision is possible in upgaze.

A B

C D

Schematic representation of the mechanism of progressive overcorrection after inferior rectus recession in a patient with
unequal bilateral inferior rectus thyroid ophthalmopathy. The + and - signs represent innervation (+) and relaxation (-).
A, Unilateral inferior rectus restriction (left eye) preoperatively. B, Corrected with recession of the restricted inferior rectus.
C, Bilateral unequal inferior rectus restriction preoperatively.. D, Postoperative slippage of the recessed left inferior rectus
caused in part by excess innervation to its antagonist, the left superior rectus by Herings law.

403
Chapter 16
History
When first seen, this 72-year-old woman had
swelling around the eyes, redness, slight prominence
of her eyes, and diplopia that had been gradually
increasing for the past year. When she watched tele-
vision or rode in a car, images were separated verti-
cally. She closed one eye to read or she placed an
occluder over the lens of her glasses. She stopped
driving because of the diplopia. She had been treated
with ablation of the thyroid by her internist, who
states that her condition is now stable, requiring only
maintenance thyroid supplement. Visual acuity with
pseudophakic correction is 20/30 in each eye. Prism
and cover testing in the primary position revealed 16
prism diopters of left hypotropia (right hypertropia).
This decreased slightly on downgaze and increased
slightly on upgaze. Intraocular pressure in the left
eye was 16 mm Hg in the primary position and
increased to 30 mm Hg on attempted upgaze. In the
right eye only a 4 mm Hg pressure rise was recorded
in upgaze. With a 10-diopter prism held base up in
front of the left eye, the patient could see 4/9 stereo
dots on the Titmus test (140 seconds). Observed sac-
cadic velocity during elevation of the left eye was
equal to that of the right. She was diagnosed as hav-
ing stable thyroid ophthalmopathy, and an adjustable
left inferior rectus recession was done. The eyes were
aligned for 6 weeks. After this time, the patient noted
double vision with vertical displacement of the
images, especially when looking down.
Examination
After the adjustable left inferior rectus reces-
sion, this patient had deficient depression of the left
eye resulting in a variable left hypertropia as well as
ptosis of the left lower lid. The left hypertropia is 10
prism diopters in primary position. With this prism
held in front of the left eye, single binocular vision is
attained, but diplopia reappears when the patient
looks down into the reading position.
Diagnosis
Slipped left inferior rectus after recession for
thyroid ophthalmopathy.
Treatment/Surgery
Advancement of the slipped left inferior rectus,
recession of the right inferior rectus, and recession of
the left superior rectus. Either or both of the reces-
sions may be done with adjustable suture.
Comment
On the surface, this seemed like a fairly
straightforward case where an acquired mechanical
restriction could be freed in a patient who already
enjoyed good fusion. Unfortunately, in dysthyroid
404
ophthalmopathy this is not always the case. Several
obstacles to the ideal treatment occur. First and most
important is the fact that the muscle operated on is not
the only muscle involved. It is merely the most
involved muscle. This autoimmune disease undoubt-
edly involves all of the extraocular muscles but to a
different degree. A CT scan or an MRI of the orbit
routinely shows thickening of all of the muscles, not
just one or two. This means that if one muscle is
weakened, it may be transformed from being the
stiffest muscle to the most lax, with another taking its
place as the stiffest muscle. As in the case described,
it is often the other inferior rectus that becomes the
stiffest muscle. If that eye then takes up fixation after
the other inferior rectus has been recessed, the basis
for a secondary deviation may be present when the
superior rectus, the antagonist of the surgically weak-
ened left inferior rectus, receives extra innervation. It
is being stimulated equally with the superior rectus of
the fellow eye, which now has as its antagonist a stiff
inferior rectus muscle. This in turn destabilizes the
newly reattached inferior rectus. This sequence of
events leads to an overcorrection (hypertropia), espe-
cially if an adjustable suture has been used. For this
reason it is important to balance forces when weak-
ening a muscle, especially the inferior rectus, in treat-
ment of thyroid ophthalmopathy.
Because of its unique relationship with the infe-
rior oblique, the inferior rectus is prone to destabi-
lization and subsequent slippage after any recession,
but especially after an adjustable recession for a dys-
thyroid ophthalmopathy. Any of the rectus muscles
can be involved in dysthyroid ophthalmopathy singly
or in combination. The most commonly involved
muscle is the inferior rectus followed by medial,
superior, and lateral rectus. I have on numerous occa-
sions weakened both the inferior and the medial rec-
tus for dysthyroid ophthalmopathy.
I have never had an occasion to resect a muscle
in dysthyroid ophthalmopathy because the motility
problem is invariably one of restriction, not weak-
ness. Surgery in this condition should be held off
until the patients thyroid status has been stabilized.
However, Coats advocates surgery in some active
cases if symptoms demand. I am skeptical of glow-
ing reports of success with adjustable recession of a
single inferior rectus, and because of this I warn the
reader not to be lulled into a complacent attitude
when dealing with this very challenging type of stra-
bismus. In some cases of stable small-angle strabis-
mus and diplopia from thyroid ophthalmopathy,
prism therapy may be the best treatment. In some
cases after surgery for a larger restrictive component,
it is necessary to use prisms to treat a smaller residual
vertical or horizontal deviation.

CASE 32: Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves ophthalmopathy)
involving multiple muscles
Clinical picture
A B
Bilateral thyroid ophthalmopathy involving multiple muscles. A, Fixing OD, looking slightly upward, demonstrating
esotropia and left hypertropia. B, Looking to the right, demonstrating esotropia and right hypotropia.
History
This 62-year-old man has been troubled by
double vision for the past several years. Images are
separated both vertically and horizontally. In order to
function, he must occlude one eye. He had been treat-
ed by his internist for a hyperthyroid condition. He is
now stable after medical ablation of the thyroid and is
in satisfactory systemic control treated with thyroid
supplement. He is also being treated for hypertension
and diabetes.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/25 and OS 20/30 while
wearing the correction: OD +1.00+1.75 X 20
degrees, OS +1.00+1.00 X 160 degrees add +2.75. In
the primary position, the right eye is 20 prism
diopters hypodeviated and 15 prism diopters esodevi-
ated. Elevation and abduction of the right eye are
severely limited. The left eye has moderate limitation
to abduction. Horizontal and vertical diplopia are
present to varying degrees in all fields. The separa-
tion of images is greatest on attempts to look up and
to the right. Passive duction testing after anesthetiz-
ing conjunctiva with proparacaine hydrochloride
reveals severely limited elevation and abduction in
the right eye and moderate limitation to abduction in
the left eye. The remainder of the eye examination is
unremarkable.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Thyroid ophthalmopathy (Graves ophthal-
mopathy) involving multiple muscles, specifically the
right inferior and medial rectus and the left medial
rectus.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the medial recti and recession of
the right inferior rectus (one medial rectus and the
inferior rectus muscle could be recessed with an
adjustable suture).
Comment
It is common for thyroid ophthalmopathy to
involve multiple muscles. In this patient, care was
taken to evaluate the relative stiffness of the left infe-
rior rectus muscle. Had it shown any restriction at all,
it would have been appropriate to recess this muscle
also. Placing one medial rectus and the inferior rec-
tus of the right eye on an adjustable suture enables
fine tuning of the alignment the day after surgery.
However, the potential problems associated with
adjustable inferior rectus recession; that is, early or
late slippage should always be kept in mind.
405
Chapter 16

CASE 33: Unilateral sixth nerve palsy

Clinical picture

A B C

Right sixth nerve palsy. A, Primary position fixing with the left eye. B, Fixing with the paretic right eye; C, left
gaze; D, right face turn and left gaze enables single binocular vision.

History
This 62-year-old man sustained closed head
trauma in a motor vehicle accident 1 year ago. After
a brief period of unconsciousness, he noted double
vision. This has persisted in all fields except in
extreme left gaze, where he has single binocular
vision. In order to drive, watch television, and read
with comfort, he must cover one eye. There were no
other injuries from the accident, and this mans health
is otherwise excellent.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is 20/20 in each
eye. With the left eye fixing, approximately 20 prism
diopters of right esotropia is noted. When fixing with
the right eye, the left eye is esodeviated 60 prism
diopters. The right eye cannot abduct to the midline.
Versions are normal in left gaze. The right eye
floats to just short of the midline during a saccade
to the right. The velocity of this saccade is approxi-
mately one-fourth the speed of the abduction saccade
of the left eye. Passive duction testing after the con-
junctiva is anesthetized with proparacaine hydrochlo-
ride shows no restriction to full abduction of the right
eye. With extreme right face turn and left gaze, sin-
gle binocular vision is achieved and stereoacuity of
9/9 (40 seconds) is recorded. The remainder of the
eye examination is normal for a person of this age.
Diagnosis
Traumatic right sixth nerve paralysis.
Treatment/Surgery
Full tendon transfer of the superior and inferior
rectus muscles of the right eye adjacent to the inser-
tion of the right lateral rectus.
Comment
Unilateral sixth nerve palsy can present in sev-
eral slightly different patterns, and these different pat-
terns require different types of treatment. In the case
described, no right lateral rectus function was pres-

406

ent. In addition, there was no significant restriction to
passive abduction. This means that a full tendon
transfer procedure alone can be effective. On the
other hand, if restriction of the antagonist right medi-
al rectus had been present, it would have been neces-
sary to deal with this by weakening this muscle. If a
recession is done, then an additional full tendon trans-
fer of the vertical recti would leave only one anterior
ciliary artery intact (that in the paretic lateral rectus).
This can be done, but it increases the risk of produc-
ing anterior segment ischemia, especially in an older
patient. Since the vertical recti have no long posteri-
or ciliary artery, detachment of these muscles with no
backup arterial blood supply introduces a greater
risk of anterior segment ischemia when compared to
detachment of the horizontal recti.
When passive abduction is restricted in a
patient with sixth nerve palsy, Botox can be injected
into the antagonist medial rectus to weaken it either at
the time of surgery or from 7 to 14 days before or
after surgery. In a case of sixth nerve palsy with suf-
ficient lateral rectus function remaining so that the
paretic eye moves beyond the midline combined with
only slightly reduced saccadic velocity during abduc-
tion, a recession of the medial rectus and resection of
the lateral rectus can be effective. In the case of an
acute sixth nerve palsy, Botox injection into the
antagonist medial rectus muscle can be effective in
forestalling contracture of this muscle, thereby pro-
viding a better chance for effective rehabilitation of
the reinnervated paretic lateral rectus muscle. At least
this makes sense, but the benefit from this prophy-
lactic use of Botox has not been established. In sur-
gical treatment of sixth nerve palsy, favorable factors
are unilateral involvement, residual lateral rectus
function (paresis), and absence of mechanical restric-
tion. When a medial rectus recession and lateral rec-
tus resection can be done, postoperative results are
better than if a muscle transfer is required.
Unfavorable factors in surgical treatment of sixth
Strabismus case management
nerve palsy are bilateral involvement, absence of lat-
eral rectus function (paralysis), and mechanical
restriction.
Before doing an extraocular muscle transfer
procedure to treat a paralyzed muscle, the surgeon
should emphasize to the patient that a muscle transfer
does not restore full ocular rotations. The surgeon
should also emphasize to the patient with bilateral
sixth nerve palsy that diplopia will persist postopera-
tively even when primary position alignment is
achieved because abduction is never full and a sec-
ondary deviation occurs in gaze to the right or left,
creating horizontal and sometimes vertical strabismus
and diplopia. An induced vertical deviation is more
likely to occur after full tendon transfer. The occur-
rence of vertical strabismus after full tendon transfer
has prompted Rosenbaum et al. to suggest that
adjustable sutures be used on the transferred vertical
recti. In any case of strabismus from cranial nerve
palsy, suppression of the second image is advanta-
geous if fusion is unattainable. In the case of unilat-
eral sixth nerve palsy I do not recess the sound medi-
al rectus of the fellow eye because the field of single
binocular vision can be reduced in the field opposite
the paralyzed lateral rectus. Instead of recessing the
normal medial rectus a posterior fixation suture may
be used.
A diplopia field plotted with an arc perimeter or
a bowl perimeter is a useful way to follow the
progress of sixth nerve palsy, either after surgical
treatment or as it spontaneously resolves. Results can
be important for medicolegal reasons. The fields are
recorded quickly and easily by determining how
many degrees away from primary position an object
can be moved before it is seen doubled. To do this
test, the head must be centered in the head support
(not to the right or left, as is done during visual field
testing of each eye) and the head should remain fixed
while only the eyes move.
407
Chapter 16
CASE 34: Bilateral sixth nerve palsy
Clinical picture
A B
Bilateral sixth nerve palsy greater in the right eye. A, Primary position with left eye fixing. B, dextroversion; C, levoversion
History
This 66-year-old woman sustained closed head
injury in a car accident 14 months earlier. She also
sustained multiple lower limb fractures and uses a
walker. Since the accident, her eyes have crossed and
she is bothered by constant diplopia.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OS 20/25-2 and
OS 20/20-1. Glasses are OD +2.00+0.50 X 180
degrees and OS +2.00+0.50 X 10 degrees with a
+2.50 add. Adduction is normal in both eyes.
Abduction is slightly limited (-1) in the left eye. The
right eye does not abduct even to the midline.
Approximately 60 prism diopters of right esotropia is
present in the primary position while fixing with the
left eye. The esotropia increases when fixing with the
right eye and in right gaze. The esodeviation is less
in left gaze. Saccadic velocity is moderately brisk to
the left in the left eye. A floating saccade is present
in attempted abduction in the right eye as the eye
moves from the adducted position to just short of the
midline.
Diagnosis
Bilateral traumatic sixth nerve palsy more
severe in the right eye.
Treatment/Surgery
Full tendon transfer shifting the right superior
rectus and right inferior rectus to the right lateral rec-
tus was performed. At surgery this patient was noted
to have a flaccid right lateral rectus muscle. Because
of this, in addition to the full tendon transfer, a 10 mm
plication-tuck was done on the right lateral rectus,
sparing the anterior artery. Five units of Botox were
then injected into the right medial rectus muscle
408
C
because passive adduction of the right eye was mod-
erately restricted.
Comment
Posteratively the patient had anterior segment
ischemia of the right eye characterized by flare and
cell, keratic precipitates, and a dilated fixed pupil.
This resolved for the most part after intense topical
steroid therapy consisting of 1 drop of 1% pred-
nisolone in the right cul-de-sac every 2 hours while
awake. This was reduced gradually over the next 4
weeks to 2 drops a day as the anterior chamber flare
and cell reaction subsided. Atrophy of the iris stroma
persists from the 9 to 12 oclock meridians. The pupil
is also eccentrically dilated to approximately 6 mm
with a reduced reaction to light. In addition, during
this period, the patient developed cystoid macular
edema with visual acuity reduced to 20/200 in the
right eye. The retinal lesion was not treated. After 6
weeks, vision improved to 20/30, but the residual pig-
mentary changes in the macula and a slight increase
in the cataract indicate that visual acuity may not
improve beyond this level. Primary position align-
ment is 10 prism diopters of exotropia, and the patient
has single binocular vision with a slight left face turn.
This case may demonstrate the vulnerability of
an eye in an older patient to anterior segment
ischemia after detachment of the vertical recti. It is
not clear what role the Botox injection in the medial
rectus or for that matter the lateral rectus plication
played in the anterior segment ischemia. However, I
have seen two other cases of anterior segment
ischemia occurring after Botox injection in similar
cases where we thought sufficient anterior ciliary cir-
culation remained.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 35: Bilateral sixth nerve palsy with persistent

diplopia after realignment

Clinical picture

B C

Head posture to achieve single binocular vision after surgery on both eyes. A, Primary position; B, dextroversion;
C, levoversion; D, a chin up left tilt head posture is needed to obtain single binocular vision

History
This 52-year-old woman was involved in a
motor vehicle accident 4 1/2 years ago, sustaining
bilateral sixth nerve palsy. Since sufficient lateral
rectus function remained, she was treated with reces-
sion of the medial recti and resection of the lateral
recti for esotropia of each eye, with the surgeries done
1 month apart. She now complains of double vision.
This is helped some by using base-out prism, by turn-
ing her eyes to the right, or by occluding one eye.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is right eye 20/25
and left eye 20/30. The patient is wearing the fol-
lowing myopic correction: right eye 4.25 and left
eye - 3.50 + 0.75 X 35 degrees. Prism and cover test-
ing in the primary position reveals 20 prism diopters
of esotropia. This decreases to 10 prism diopters
esotropia in far right gaze and increases to 25 prism
diopters in far left gaze. No significant A or V pat-
tern or other vertical deviation is noted. There is
moderate limitation of abduction more in the left eye
than the right. Saccadic velocity is brisk to abduction
to either side. Adduction is full and vertical versions
are full. This woman has double vision in all fields of
gaze with the images separated horizontally. She is
wearing 15 diopters of permanent prism divided 8
prism diopters base out in the right lens and 7 prism
diopters base out in the left lens. With this prism she
is able to see objects singly with her head turned to
the left and her chin slightly elevated. If she moves
her head even a few degrees or if the object of regard
moves even slightly she experiences double vision
but can regain single vision fairly easily
Diagnosis
Residual esotropia with diplopia after treatment
for bilateral sixth nerve palsy.
Surgery
Consider re-resection of the left lateral rectus
muscle and re-recession of the left medial rectus mus-
cle.

409
Chapter 16

Comment
This patient is happy with the small area of sin-
gle binocular vision and is willing to try to have this
limited field enlarged by additional surgery. When
considering a further attempt at gaining a wider range
of single binocular vision several things must be con-
sidered. First, does the patient have central disruption
of fusion* The answer is most likely no. If she had
central disruption of fusion she would not be able to
gain and regain single binocular vision as she does.
Does she have horror fusionis? Again the answer is
no. If this were present, the two foveas would repel
each other making any single binocular vision impos-
sible. In this condition the two fovea act as thought
they were similar magnetic poles as they are driven
apart. Will the relentless secondary deviation of
bilateral sixth nerve palsy keep the eyes from work-
ing together? The answer is maybe, but maybe not.
If the patient is willing to have realistic expectations,
further surgery is worth a chance.

E F

G H

Bilateral sixth nerve palsy in a 45-year-old woman. E, Dextroversion preoperatively; F, levoversion

preoperatively; G, primary position alignment after surgery; H, One eye patched to avoid diplopia.

Pratt-Johnson JA, Tillson G: The loss of fusion in adults with intractable diplopia (central disruption of fusion), Aust NZ J Ophthalmol
16:81-85, 1988.

410

CASE 36: Right sixth nerve palsy from intracranial aneurysm
Clinical picture
A B
A, Right esotropia when fixing with the left eye. B, In dextroversion the right eye has no abduction
but is esodeviated and hyperdeviated.
History
This 43-year-old woman had an intracranial
aneurysm clipped 6 weeks earlier. Her right eye
crossed moderately before the surgery. After surgery,
the right eye crossed completely. The images are so
far apart that they are not very bothersome.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/40 and OS 20/20 with-
out correction. Motility testing shows 70 prism
diopters of right esotropia with no right lateral rectus
function. The remainder of the eye examination is
normal.
Diagnosis
Acute right sixth nerve paralysis.
Treatment/Surgery
Botox, 5 units to the right medial rectus muscle.
Strabismus case management
Comment
This patient with acute sixth nerve palsy may
recover some or all of her sixth nerve function in the
right eye over a period of up to 6 months. To prevent
spastic contracture of the unopposed right medial rec-
tus muscle with additional development of restriction
during the convalescent period, Botox is injected into
this muscle. This patient represents an extreme case
of sixth nerve palsy where the nerve may have been
transected at surgery. Other milder cases of unilater-
al and bilateral acute sixth nerve palsy can also bene-
fit from Botox injection. There is no clear-cut evi-
dence that the Botox enables or even hastens recovery
of sixth nerve function, but it does make sense and
there is little downside. The mechanism of action of
Botox in similar cases is to paralyze the medial rectus
muscle for a period of weeks to months. Ptosis of the
upper lid often occurs when the lateral rectus muscle
is injected. To help avoid this, the patient should sit
up immediately after injection and should remain
upright for at least 2 hours. The toxin is less likely to
diffuse in the area of the levator palpebri when this
precaution is observed.
411
Chapter 16

CASE 37: Acquired third nerve palsy

Clinical picture

B C

D E

This patient has an acute right third nerve palsy. A, In the primary position, ptosis of the right upper
lid is complete. B, With the right upper lid held up by the right patients finger, the right eye is
exodeviated approximately 40 prism diopters and is slightly hypodeviated. C, Abduction of the right
eye is full. D, The right eye cannot adduct even to the midline. E, On downgaze the right eye
intorts slightly, suggesting unopposed superior oblique function.

History
This 28-year-old man sustained closed head
trauma in a motor vehicle accident 13 months earlier.
He is concerned because his right eye is closed.
When he raises his right upper lid, he notes that his
eye is deviated outward, and he sees double. He
would like to have the right eye straightened and his
right lid raised.
Examination
Complete ptosis of the right upper lid is present.
With maximum attempt at elevation using the frontal-
is muscle, the right upper lid moves upward about 3
mm. Forty prism diopters of exotropia and 15 prism
diopters of right hypotropia are present in the primary
position. The right pupil is dilated to 6 mm and does
not react to light or accommodative effort. Visual
acuity is OD 20/30 and OS 20/20. This patient under-
stands that if his eye is made straighter and his lid
raised, he will continue to have double vision and that
this double vision may be more bothersome because
the images are closer. In spite of this, he would like
to have surgery to improve alignment of his eyes.

412

Diagnosis
Traumatic right third nerve palsy.
Treatment/Surgery
Maximum recession of the right lateral rectus
10+ mm, right superior oblique tendon transfer with-
out trochlea fracture or maximum recession of the
right lateral rectus and 10+ mm resection of the right
medial rectus with 1/2 to 3/4 muscle width upshift of
both muscles.
Comment
The appropriate extraocular procedure, when
successful, can align or nearly align the eye with third
nerve palsy, but motility is always limited. When the
lid is raised, postoperatively the involved eye during
fixation in the primary position is usually slightly
exotropic. Frontalis suspension of the upper lid can
be performed at the same time as the extraocular mus-
cle surgery or it can be done at a second procedure.
Whenever it is done, the ptosis should be undercor-
rected to lessen the adverse effect of corneal exposure
Strabismus case management
which is the rule after frontalis lid suspension and
limited upward protective movement (Bell phenome-
non) of the eye. In a patient such as this, who lacks
effective suppression, diplopia can be extremely
bothersome. Actually, some of the most agitated and
distraught patients I have treated have been of this
category. This problem is especially severe when the
patient with third nerve palsy is emotionally liable
from brain injury. Patients with acquired third nerve
palsy should be counseled thoroughly before surgery,
telling them about the problems associated with post-
operative diplopia. In several successfully aligned
cases, it has been necessary to fit the patient with an
occluding contact lens or to give glasses with an
occluder lens to eliminate the diplopia. On the other
hand, if suppression is present for any reason or if
vision is poor in one eye alignment can be achieved
and the patient is pleased. In some cases of complete
acquired third nerve palsy it may be best to refrain
from surgery and simply allow the ptosis to treat
diplopia.
413
Chapter 16

CASE 38: Traumatic third nerve palsy with misdirection after

successful horizontal alignment
Clinical picture

B A C

A, Primary position alignment with 3 mm ptosis of the left upper lid. B, The left palpebral fissure widens
on right gaze. C, The left palpebral fissure narrows on left gaze. D, The left eye does not elevate. E,
The left eye does not depress and the left upper lid retracts from aberrant regeneration during attempted
downgaze.

414

History
This 36-year-old woman was involved in a
motor vehicle accident 2 years earlier. She was com-
atose for 14 days. When she regained consciousness,
she had constant double vision. She is also bothered
by generalized left-side weakness. She has difficulty
walking, has slurred speech, cries easily, and has dif-
ficulty with memory. A left lateral rectus recession of
9 mm and a left medial rectus resection of 10 mm
with one-half muscle width upshift was done 4
months ago.
Examination
The patient has visual acuity of OD 20/30 and
OS 20/20. The 30 prism diopters of left exotropia
and 15 prism diopters of left hypotropia that had been
present in the primary position before recent surgery
has been nearly eliminated, leaving 5 prism diopters
of exotropia resulting in satisfactory appearance.
The left pupil is dilated to 6 mm and is nonreactive to
light or accommodation. The left eye has nearly full
adduction but neither elevates nor depresses more
than a few degrees. During dextroversion of the left
eye, the left upper lid elevates. This lid is photic on
gaze to the left. On attempted downgaze, the left eye
remains near the primary position but the left upper
lid retracts. The remainder of the eye examination is
unremarkable.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Traumatic third nerve palsy with aberrant
regeneration after recess-resect of the horizontal recti
with upshift.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the left lateral rectus 9 mm, resec-
tion of the left medial rectus 10 mm with upshift of
the insertion of both horizontal recti one half muscle
width.
Comment
In cases of unilateral palsy of the third nerve
with aberrant regeneration, such as this, a
recession/resection procedure with upshift of both
muscles can be effective in straightening the eyes in
the primary position. There is no effective way to
deal surgically with the aberrant regeneration. Since
the ptosis in this patient is only moderate, possibly a
result of the effects of the aberrant regeneration, no
treatment is required. Patients with third nerve palsy
will always see double in nearly every direction
unless they are successful in suppressing one image,
usually from the paretic eye. Aberrant regeneration
occurs in approximately two-thirds of patients with
third nerve palsy, congenital or traumatic.
415
Chapter 16
CASE 39: Congenital third nerve palsy
Clinical picture
Congenital right third nerve palsy aligned surgically . A
small residual right exotropia and ptosis of the right upper
lid remain.
History
This 14-month-old boy was brought by his par-
ents for examination because his right eye deviated
outward and downward. This had been present and
unchanging since birth. They also thought the right
upper lid drooped. The child is otherwise healthy
and is developing normally, with all milestones
reached on time or early.
Examination
This patient fixed and followed well with either
eye. While fixing with the left eye, the right eye was
down and out and a mild right ptosis was present.
When fixing with the right eye, a large left hyper-
tropia with exotropia was present. With the left eye
fixing, the right eye was 20 prism diopters exotropic
and 15 prism diopters hypotropic. With the right eye
fixing, the left eye was 30 prism diopters exotropic
and 25 prism diopters hypertropic. Levator function
in the right eye was only mildly limited. The right
pupil responded normally. The remainder of the eye
examination was normal.
Diagnosis
Congenital incomplete right third nerve palsy.
416
Treatment/Surgery
First procedure (14 months of age): recession
of the right lateral rectus 8 mm, resection of the right
medial rectus 8 mm with 1/2 muscle width upshift of
both muscles. Second procedure (18 months of age):
resection of right superior rectus 6.0 mm, recession of
left superior rectus 4.0 mm.
Comment
After the first surgical procedure, the childs
eyes were aligned horizontally but he persisted with a
large right hypotropia. After the second procedure,
the patient has only a small right hypotropia or left
hypertropia and slight ptosis of the right upper lid.
This patient was treated initially with a recess/resect
procedure of the right eye with upshift because
adduction was only moderately limited. There was
no limitation to passive ductions in either eye.
Congenital third nerve palsy has many expres-
sions. This patient had fairly mild congenital third
nerve palsy that was treatable with a recession/resec-
tion and did not require a muscle transfer procedure.
Since the ptosis in this case is mild, no treatment is
indicated now. Before school-age, it may be appro-
priate to do a small right levator resection.
Free alternation in this patient rules out ambly-
opia. I have treated several infants with congenital
third nerve palsy who preferred fixation with the
paretic eye because vision was better in this eye. If
vision is equal in patients with congenital third nerve
palsy, they frequently alternate fixation having a
large secondary deviation when fixing with the paret-
ic eye. The potential for amblyopia in the patients
with congenital third nerve palsy should not be
ignored while focusing on the strabismus alone. If
fixation preference is noted and the non-preferred eye
appears normal, occlusion therapy should be carried
out. However, it should be closely monitored. I saw
a patient with third nerve palsy who developed
intractable occlusion amblyopia after several weeks
of full-time occlusion at six months of age. In addi-
tion to the amblyopia, a grotesque secondary devia-
tion was created by fixing with the paretic eye. I
believe that imaging studies with CT scan or MRI
should be done in all cases of congenital third nerve
palsy to rule out structural brain abnormalities.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 40: Severe bilateral congenital third nerve palsy

Clinical picture

A sixth-month-old girl has 100 prism diopters exotropia and

bilateral complete ptosis from bilateral congenital third
nerve paralysis. The lids must be manually elevated to
clear the visual axes.

History
This 6-month-old patient had both eyes
markedly deviating outward and bilateral ptosis. In
order to see, the child habitually used her left forefin-
ger to elevate the left upper lid.
Examination
Both eyes are deviated downward and outward.
There is little movement toward elevation or adduc-
tion. Both lids are photic and there is no detectable
levator function. Both pupils are mid-dilated and
react sluggishly to light. The infant appears to have
moderate psychomotor retardation. The role of the
visual deficit in causing this delay cannot be deter-
mined fully at this time. The eyes are otherwise nor-
mal.
Diagnosis
Bilateral complete congenital third nerve palsy.
Treatment/Surgery
First procedure (age 8 months): recession of
both lateral recti, bilateral superior oblique tendon
transfer with trochlear fracture. Second procedure
(age 10 months): bilateral (temporary) frontalis sus-
pension of the upper lids using heavy nylon suture.
Comment
Severe congenital third nerve palsy requires
more than a recession/resection procedure because
adduction is absent. In this case a superior oblique
tendon transfer with fracture of the trochlea was done.
Recession of the lateral rectus provides additional
help toward centering the eye. The ptosis procedure
done later should aim at undercorrection because the
cornea is at risk for exposure. A review of our
patients revealed that approximately two-thirds of
children with congenital third nerve palsy have some
evidence of aberrant regeneration, suggesting that
trauma to the nerve has occurred. Patients with con-
genital third nerve palsy do not have diplopia because
of effective suppression. This patient is one of the
very few who in my experience had successful frac-
ture of the trochlea. I have abandoned this technique
because of difficulty with the fracture and/or unin-
tended transection of the tendon making transfer
impossible, especially in older patients.

417
Chapter 16
CASE 41: Sensory exotropia
Clinical picture
A B
A, Left exotropia; B, limited adduction in the left eye; C, normal adduction in the right eye.
History
This 26-year-old man sustained an injury to the
left eye at age 7 when he was struck with a nail. The
corneal laceration was repaired and the damaged lens
removed. No optical or other treatment was given to
the eye. His left eye has gradually drifted outward.
He would now like to have his eyes straightened in
order to have improved eye contact. He feels uncom-
fortable talking to people, and he states that he is not
sure if people know where he is looking when he is
talking to them or trying to get their attention.
Examination
Visual acuity in the right eye is 20/20 without
correction, and in the left eye it is counts fingers at
3 feet not improved with lenses. Fifty prism diopters
of left exotropia is present in the primary position
measured with the prism and light reflex test
(Krimsky). Ductions of the right eye are normal.
Adduction in the left eye is limited slightly at -1.
During extremes of upgaze and downgaze, the
exotropia increases to 70 prism diopters, creating an
X pattern.
Diagnosis
Sensory left exotropia with X pattern.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of left lateral rectus 9 mm, resection
of left medial rectus 8 mm.
418
C
Comment
This patient with a long-standing left sensory
exotropia is bothered socially and in business deal-
ings by a feeling that he describes as people dont
know where I am looking. Justification for treat-
ment of this patient may be under the heading all
humans have the right to look like a human. The
only normal human ocular alignment is to have
orthotropic or aligned eyes. Therefore, straighten-
ing the left eye in this patient with visual acuity of
counts fingers in that eye is a functional procedure.
Patients like this are extremely grateful for any
improvement in their appearance. Many patients with
large-angle exotropia deny that a problem exists and
are reluctant to seek help. Compared to those with a
similar size esodeviation, the patient with large-angle
exotropia is typically more willing to endure strabis-
mus and not seek treatment or will seek it later.
Several character actors have actually capitalized on
a large angle exotropia to create a sinister or devious
image. On the other hand, an esotropia imparts a
foolish image and an affected patient is more likely
to seek treatment. Any adult patient with manifest
exotropia who also retains vision in the deviated eye
has an enlarged field of peripheral binocular vision.
These patients should be warned that they will have a
decrease in their binocular field of vision after the
eyes are straightened. This can be disturbing to
patients at first. They often report a sensation of hav-
ing tunnel vision after surgery. This sensation
always goes away, with the result that patients report
normal vision in weeks or months.

CASE 42: Residual sensory exotropia
Clinical picture
B A
A, Thirty diopters of left esotropia. B, Normal adduction OS. C, Limited abduction OD
History
This 43-year-old woman had eye muscle sur-
gery on the left eye at age 5 for esotropia that had
begun during the first year of life. Vision has been
very poor in the left eye because of what the patient
described as a hole in the retina. The patient teach-
es fourth grade and complains that her students do
not know where she is looking. She would like to
have her eyes straightened.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OD 20/20 and
OS counts fingers at 4 feet. Her refraction is OD -
6.50+2.75 X 75 degrees and OS -3.75+2.75 X 35
degrees. In the primary position, the left esotropia
measures 30 prism diopters. There is also 5 prism
diopters of left hypotropia. Abduction is moderately
limited in the left eye and a roughened, raised red
conjunctival scar is noted medially in the left eye. An
inactive chorioretinal scar involving the macula of
the left eye accounts for the poor vision in that eye.
Diagnosis
Residual sensory esotropia OS, with conjuncti-
val scar.
Treatment/Surgery
Exploration of the left medial rectus, with pli-
caplasty and re-recession of the left medial rectus if
possible or marginal myotomy of a fully recessed left
medial rectus and resection of the left lateral rectus.
The amount of surgery is determined at the time of
surgery. One or both of the muscles may be placed
on an adjustable suture.
Strabismus case management
C
Comment
This patient is typical of many patients who
have had eye muscle surgery done in the 1950s. She
had a transconjunctival incision over the insertion of
the left medial rectus. As often occurs when this inci-
sion is used, the conjuctiva is scarred with a rough-
ened, red mass over the entire medial conjunctiva. At
surgery the medial rectus was found 11.0 mm from
the limbus. Because the conjunctiva was rough and
red, it was excised to the plica, which had been pulled
closer to the nasal limbus by scarring from the previ-
ous surgery. The plica was sutured down to sclera
and resection of the left lateral rectus was done.
It is a good idea to slightly undercorrect
patients like this with esotropia. Postoperatively, they
would be more likely to notice and be dissatisfied
with 5 prism diopters of exotropia than 5 prism
diopters of residual esotropia. This woman has
become accustomed to (if not happy with) the esode-
viation and will be very grateful for a significant
reduction but may be unhappy with even a small
overcorrection. Justification for straightening a
deeply amblyopic eye such as this are (1) normaliza-
tion of the oculofacial relationship with improved
interpersonal relations and (2) increase in the periph-
eral binocular field.
Coats and Paysse have shown that applicants
who have had digitally altered photos showing stra-
bismus receive lower evaluations on applications
compared to when their pictures are unaltered and
show straight eyes. This demonstrated that strabis-
mus can be a handicap when it comes to making a
favorable impression.
419
Chapter 16
CASE 43: Dissociated vertical deviation with true hypotropia
(falling eye)
Clinical picture
A B
A, Right eye fixation showing 10 prism diopters of left hypotropia. B, Left eye fixation with 15
prism diopters of right hypertropia.
History
This 21-year-old woman had eye muscle sur-
gery done on both eyes in Germany between ages 3
and 5 years. Since that time, she has had some cross-
ing of her eyes. More recently, she observed that the
left eye appears to be lower than the right most of the
time. This patient wishes to have the alignment
improved by surgery if it is possible.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OD 20/20 and
OS 20/30. The patient wears contact lenses with the
following correction: OD -6.50, OS -7.00. She
prefers to fix with the right eye. While fixing with the
right eye in the primary position, the left eye is esode-
viated 15 prism diopters and is approximately 10
prism diopters hypotropic. When the nonfixing left
eye is occluded, it drifts upward above the midline
approximately 10 prism diopters with an excycloduc-
tion. This left eye sursumduction and excycloduction
movement is slow and vergence-like, making it a
DVD-type response. When the cover is removed
from the left eye, the eye drifts down (deorsumduc-
tion) to 10 prism diopters of hypodeviation while the
right maintains fixation. When the left eye takes up
fixation but the right remains uncovered, the right eye
assumes 15 prism diopters of hypertropia. While fix-
ation continues with the left eye and the right eye is
occluded, it moves up 10 prism diopters more with a
slow vergence movement and excycloduction. No
latent nystagmus is noted. Ductions are full in both
eyes. The remainder of the eye examination is unre-
markable.
420
Diagnosis
Residual esotropia, asymmetric DVD with
small true left hypotropia and falling left eye.
Surgery
Recession of right superior rectus 7 mm, re-
recession of the left medial rectus.
Comment
This patient demonstrates the combination of
true right hypertropia (left hypotropia) along with dis-
sociated vertical deviation. The left medial rectus
muscle was selected for re-recession because there
was a slight limitation of passive abduction in this eye
noted at surgery. The left medial rectus was found
approximately 9 mm from the limbus. It was re-
recessed to 11.5 mm from the limbus and the scarred
overlying conjunctiva was recessed approximately 5
mm. The right superior rectus was recessed 7 mm,
which is more than would be done ordinarily for 15
prism diopters of hypotropia. This larger recession
was done because of the additional DVD response.
In cases of falling eye with poor vision in the
hypodeviated eye, it is more appropriate to recess the
inferior rectus of the hypodeviated eye. However, in
this patient, the superior rectus recession made more
sense despite the fact that this eye was habitually used
for fixation, because a larger recession can be done
safely on the superior rectus in contrast to the inferi-
or rectus without correction for lid fissure changes.
 Strabismus case management

This 46-year-old man has poor vision in the left eye that over a period of
many years has become hypodeviated. The hypodeviated eye has a pulsat-
ing vertical nystagmoid movement. When the nonfixing hypodeviated left eye
is occluded, it undergoes a sursumduction in a DVD-type response, moving
several prism diopters above the midline. When the occluder is removed, the
eye returns to a position below the midline. This patient is more typical of the
falling eye syndrome, which has also been called the Heimann-
Bielschowsky phenomenon. In this case, the inferior rectus muscle was
recessed 5 mm, resulting in improvement in the primary position alignment.

421
Chapter 16
CASE 44: Double elevator palsy
Clinical picture
With maximum effort, the right eye is able to ele-
vate to a point not even to the midline.
History
This 9-year-old girl has been noted by her par-
ent to have a droopy right upper lid and a right eye
that is chronically deviated downward. This has been
present since birth. Her health is otherwise normal.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye. Cycloplegic
refraction in both eyes is +0.75. In the primary posi-
tion, 20 prism diopters of right hypotropia is meas-
ured. On maximum attempt at looking up, the left eye
reaches just a few degrees short of the midline. With
forced lid closure, the eye moves up only a few
degrees more but is well short of full elevation, indi-
cating a weak Bell phenomenon.
Diagnosis
Double elevator palsy of right eye.
Treatment/Surgery
Full tendon transfer of the right lateral and right
medial recti to a point adjacent to the insertion of the
right superior rectus (after confirming free passive
elevation of the right eye).
Comment
Double elevator palsy is a relatively rare and
enigmatic strabismus. In some cases, the involved
eye can elevate fully with forced lid closure (Bell
phenomenon). At other times, such as in this case, the
eye does not elevate. In cases with intact Bells phe-
nomenon, a supranuclear palsy is confirmed. In other
422
cases, without elevation of the eye on forced closure
of the lid, it is necessary to determine if there is a
restriction to passive elevation. When restriction is
encountered it must be freed before further surgery is
done to recess or resect the vertical recti or transfer
the horizontal muscles. In the case described here,
since there was no restriction to passive elevation a
full tendon transfer was done. In other cases with
similar clinical characteristics but that differ slightly
in that the eye can elevate well above the midline,
along with evidence of vertical rectus function, a ver-
tical rectus recession/resection procedure can be
done.
In some cases, a full tendon transfer will pro-
duce a new horizontal strabismus. When this occurs,
it is usually an exodeviation. The method that has
been suggested to avoid this complication is use of
an adjustable suture, but young children in need of
surgical treatment for double elevator palsy are not
ordinarily suited for an adjustable suture procedure
on a transferred muscle. In cases of double elevator
palsy with postoperative horizontal strabismus, the
vertically transposed recti can be recessed or resect-
ed appropriately or the horizontal recti of the fellow
eye can be recessed/resected or both. Children with
double elevator palsy may have excellent stereoacu-
ity in downgaze. This can be compromised after the
eyes are treated surgically. Double elevator palsy in
its several forms is a difficult and frustrating, but for-
tunately rare, type of strabismus to manage surgical-
ly.

CASE 45: Blowout fracture of the orbit
Clinical picture
A B
A, Left hypertropia fixing with the right eye; B, The right eye elevates only a few degrees above the midline; C,
Both eyes depress fully.
History
This 22-year-old had repair of a blowout frac-
ture and associated facial trauma that resulted from
injury incurred in a motor vehicle accident 8 months
ago. Since the surgery, the right eye on the side of
repair has been down or at times the left eye has
been up. The patient reports that he sees everything
double except when he looks in far downgaze.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye. Prism and
cover testing shows 14 prism diopters of right
hypotropia when fixing with the left eye and 20 prism
diopters of left hypertropia fixing with the right eye.
Elevation of the right eye is limited to only a few
degrees above the midline, even with maximum
effort. Numbness of the right infraorbital area is pres-
ent. In downgaze the stereo fly can be fused (gross
stereopsis 3000 seconds). The remainder of the eye
examination is normal.
Diagnosis
Right inferior rectus restriction after blowout
fracture of the orbit.
Treatment/Surgery
Inferior rectus recession of right eye using
adjustable suture.
Comment
As with any type of strabismus after trauma,
blowout fracture presents a complex and varied clini-
cal picture. The acute stage of blowout fracture with
prolapse of orbital contents into the maxillary sinus is
usually repaired after the swelling has subsided,
Strabismus case management
C
which usually occurs about a week after the injury.
This fracture repair is done with direct visualization
of the orbital floor. Exposure is obtained through a
subciliary lid skin incision or by means of an incision
behind the lid through the inferior fornix. The pro-
lapsed orbital contents are then teased out of the
bony defect and the defect in the orbital floor is cov-
ered with a splint made of thin plastic material.
Unfortunately this is not always the end of the story.
Even if all of the incarcerated tissue has been
removed from the fracture, trauma to soft tissue--
including the inferior rectus and surrounding fascia
and fat can cause restrictions that limit elevation and
produce a hypotropia of that eye, resulting in diplop-
ia. In some cases the inferior rectus sustains nerve
damage. In this case, after repair either a hypertropia
results or a persistent restrictive hypotropia is present
masking a paretic inferior rectus, that may be recog-
nized only after restriction to elevation has been
freed. When this is accomplished in such a case, lim-
itation in both upgaze and downgaze can result.
A wide variety of traumatic strabismus entities
can result from direct trauma to the muscles, orbital
fascia, and bones around the orbit. In this type of
case, the motility repair can be complicated and there-
fore must be planned and executed based on the
unique motility findings. Recession, resection, and
transfer are dictated by the residual function of the
muscles and use of these procedures depends on both
innervational and mechanical factors. In most cases
of traumatic motility disturbance that I have treated, it
has been possible at best to find a limited area of com-
fortable single binocular vision with residual areas of
diplopia.
423
Chapter 16
CASE 46: Acute blowout fracture
Clinical picture
A B
Acute blowout fracture of the right orbit. A, Primary position; B, limited downgaze in right eye
(reverse leash effect); C, severely limited upgaze of the right eye (leash effect). D, Coronal
CT shows defect in right orbital floor with orbital contents prolapsed into the maxillary sinus.
History
This 6-year-old boy was struck in the right eye
by the heel of a playmates shoe while wrestling at
play 6 days ago. The right eye was moderately
swollen immediately after the injury. The child saw
double after he was struck, and he continues to see
double at all times.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/30 and OS 20/20. No
significant refractive error is present. The eyes are
straight in the primary position and 6/9 stereo dots
(80 seconds) are seen. Depression of the right eye is
moderately limited and elevation of this eye is severe-
ly limited. There is numbness over the medial aspect
of the right inferior orbital rim. CT scan of the orbits
shows a bony defect of the right orbital floor with
prolapse into the maxillary sinus of the orbital con-
tents, possibly including the right inferior rectus mus-
cle.
Diagnosis
Acute blowout fracture of right orbital floor.
Treatment/Surgery
Removal of orbital contents from the maxillary
sinus and repair of the fracture defect with a splint.
424
C
Comment
Acute blowout fracture of the orbit wall (usual-
ly the floor) is now treated in most cases by the ocu-
loplastic surgeon. The surgical approach to the
orbital floor is through a subciliary incision made in
the skin of the lower lid or through an inferior fornix
incision. With either incision, inferior orbital rim
periosteum is incised below the inferior orbital sep-
tum, and the periosteum is elevated to expose the
orbital floor defect. Prolapsed orbital contents are
carefully extracted from the maxillary sinus, and a
thin plastic sheet, either preformed or cut and shaped
to size, is placed over the defect. Unfortunately,
adhesions in and around the orbital soft tissue, includ-
ing the inferior rectus, can cause restricted eye move-
ment even when freeing of the prolapsed material has
been complete. If motility continues to be limited
after surgical repair of a blowout fracture, appropriate
eye muscle surgery, usually inferior rectus recession,
on the involved side can be carried out. However, if
paresis of the inferior rectus is present, freeing of
restriction to elevation must be followed by an inferi-
or rectus resection, or, if the inferior rectus is non-
functioning, muscle transfer must be done by shifting
the horizontal recti to the inferior rectus insertion.

CASE 47: Congenital fibrosis syndrome
Clinical picture
B A
A, This patient has bilateral ptosis, chin elevation, and gaze downward with exotropia;
B, The patients sister; C, The patients mother has only the right eye affected
History
This 16-year-old girl has had chin elevation
and exotropia in downgaze all of her life. She also
complains that both her upper lids droop. Her sister,
mother, maternal uncle, and maternal grandfather are
also affected.
Examination
The most striking feature of this patient (and all
other similarly affected patients) is the chin-up posi-
tion with bilateral ptosis. No levator function is pres-
ent. On attempted upgaze (actually attempting to lift
the eyes to the primary position), the frontalis is used
to raise the lids, but with this effort only a few mil-
limeters of lid elevation is accomplished. Also, when
the patient attempts to look up, the eyes converge.
Visual acuity is 20/30 in each eye.
Diagnosis
Congenital fibrosis syndrome.
Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral inferior rectus recession with frontalis
suspension of the upper lids done at the same proce-
dure with the extraocular muscles or at a second pro-
cedure. If esotropia is a problem the medial recti can
be recessed
Strabismus case management
C
Comment
Congenital fibrosis syndrome is inherited as
autosomal dominant with nearly complete pene-
trance, although involvement may vary. The inferior
and medial rectus muscles are often thin tight bands
in this condition. The medial rectus muscle also
tends to course upward to the insertion, suggesting an
origin in the orbit lower than is usually seen. Results
of surgery for fibrosis syndrome are frequently disap-
pointing because of residual restriction to elevation
and continued convergence on upgaze. However,
after surgery some patients are able to assume a near-
ly normal head posture. Treatment of congenital
fibrosis syndrome, though difficult and not producing
excellent results, is certainly worth doing. Most
patients appreciate any improvement, even though
minimal. The degree of involvement varies from
patient to patient. In general the less severe the fibro-
sis, the better the result from surgery.
425
Chapter 16

CASE 48: Mbius syndrome

Clinical picture

A B

A, Esotropia and a dull facial expression are typical features of Mbius

syndrome. B, After surgery, the eyes are aligned by bimedial rectus
recession but the eyes cannot abduct.

History
This 6-year-old girl has a blank look and both
eyes are crossed. Shortly after birth and throughout
infancy she had some difficulty feeding. Now she is
healthy and eats without difficulty.
Examination
Simply observing this child provides sufficient
information to make a diagnosis of Mbius syn-
drome. The eyes are moderately crossed, and the
nasolabial fold is absent bilaterally. This gives a dull
facial expression. Neither eye can abduct beyond the
midline. When adduction is attempted with either
eye, there is a convergence response in the fellow eye.
The eyes elevate and depress normally. Visual acuity
is 20/30 in each eye. Cycloplegic refraction is OD
+1.00+0.50 X 30 degrees, OS +1.00 sphere. The dis-
tal third of the tongue appears to be atrophic (looked
for specifically because this is a typical feature of
Mbius syndrome).
Diagnosis
Mbius syndrome.
Treatment/Surgery
Bimedial rectus recession to 10.5 mm.
Comment
Children with Mbius syndrome or bilateral
congenital paresis of the sixth and seventh cranial
nerves present a typical clinical picture, as demon-
strated by this child. Surgery consisting of bimedial
rectus recession can at best achieve alignment in the
primary position. Postoperatively, abduction will not
be restored. Parents must be warned before surgery
that they should have limited and realistic expecta-
tions about results. I have not done muscle transfer
procedures in these patients. Diplopia is not a trou-
blesome symptom in such patients because the stra-
bismus is present from birth with suppression. In my
experience Mbius syndrome is a true congenital
esotropia along with Duane I, and both also happen to
be conatal.

426

CASE 49: Skew deviation with symptomatic diplopia
Clinical picture
This patient is shown 1 day after 3 mm recession of the
right superior rectus. Except for slight reaction around the
right superior rectus (and right upper lid), the patient looked
the same before surgery.
History
This 81-year-old man complained of vertical
diplopia that has bothered him for 3 years. He is oth-
erwise healthy for a man of his age. Images are sep-
arated vertically by about the height of his television
screen. He had a slight stroke 3 years ago. This has
left him with no apparent residual problem other than
double vision.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/25-1 and OS 20/40+1
with correction of OD -1.50+0.50 X 80 degrees and
OS -1.75+0.75 X 100 degrees and a +2.75 add. There
is 4 diopters of base-down prism in the right lens and
3 diopters of base-up prism in the left lens. Prism and
cover testing with the patients distance correction in
a trial frame shows a comitant 10 prism diopter right
hypertropia. This vertical deviation does not change
in right or left head tilt. No torsion is measured with
the double Maddox rod. The remainder of the eye
examination is unremarkable except for incipient
cataracts slightly greater in the left eye. The patient
is unhappy with wearing prism because he can see
well at near without glasses, but he has diplopia when
he takes them off to read the newspaper. He would
like to have eye muscle surgery if this would allow
him to get rid of his need for prism.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Skew deviation (comitant right hypertropia).
Treatment/Surgery
3.0 mm right superior rectus recession.
Comment
Vertical diplopia occurring suddenly in an older
person, as it did in this case, is usually caused by
fourth nerve palsy, presumably a microvascular
insult. In a slightly younger patient it may result from
thyroid ophthalmopathy. However, there appears to
be another cause in this patient. The key to the dif-
ferent etiology is that this is a comitant vertical devi-
ation. An acquired comitant vertical strabismus is
called skew deviation. It is believed that this is a
supranuclear motility disturbance caused by minor
brain stem insult, usually a microvascular accident.
Prism therapy is adequate for most patients like this.
However, if the patient is not happy with prism for
any reason, a surgical procedure involving recession
of a single vertical rectus muscle can be successful.
Skew deviation; that is, without a paretic muscle is
usually seen in older patients, is supranuclear, and has
a presumed vascular cause that is not usually identi-
fied specifically.
Some strabismologists discourage use of the
term skew because it might presume etiology but not
describe the strabismus. In place of the term skew
deviation it may be more useful to say that this
patient has an acquired comitant right hypertropia.
The presumed supranuclear microvascular cause is
inferred. In my opinion, this type of strabismus does
not require extensive workup. Evaluation of blood
pressure and blood sugar is indicated, but further
evaluation should be based on the patients other
health considerations. Patients like this are often sub-
jected to needless, expensive imaging studies before
they are seen by an ophthalmologist.
427
Chapter 16
CASE 50: Acquired esotropia
Clinical picture
A B
A, Left esotropia (30 diopters) without glasses. B, Right esotropia (20 diopters) with glasses.
History
The 4-year-old boy was examined and treated
initially by an optometrist at age 2 years. Six months
before, at age 1 1/2 years, his parents noted that his
eyes were turning in. This in-turning was intermittent
at first, but after a few months it was constant. At his
initial examination the child was given glasses to cor-
rect farsightedness and to help straighten his eyes. He
has worn these glasses faithfully for 2 years. Several
interim checkups indicated no need to change the pre-
scription of the glasses but the esotropia remained.
The child was referred for further evaluation and pos-
sible treatment.
Examination
The patient is able to fix and follow with either
eye, takes up fixation freely with either eye, and
appears to be at ease wearing his glasses, which
measure OD +2.00, OS +2.50. With these, he is able
to see 20/40 in each eye tested with pictures. His
esotropia with glasses measures 20 diopters at dis-
tance and at near. Ductions are full and no A or V
pattern is present. The esotropia without correction
increases to 35 diopters at distance and 30 diopters at
near. Cycloplegic refraction is OD +2.00 and OS
+2.50, indicating no need to change prescription in
the glasses. To perform prism adaptation, fully cor-
recting base-out Fresnel prisms (20 prism diopters)
were placed on his spectacles. After 2 weeks, 15
prism diopters of esotropia was measured while the
Fresnel prisms were in place. After wearing 35
diopters of base out prism for another two weeks,
cover testing showed 2 prism diopters of esotropia
and the patient fused the Worth four lights at near.
This indicated a total deviation of 35 prism diopters
of esotropia while wearing full hyperopic correction
in this prism adaptation responder.
428
Diagnosis
Acquired esotropia, partially accommodative,
increasing with prism adaptation in a prism adapta-
tion responder.
Treatment/Surgery
Bimedial rectus recession to 10 mm from the
limbus for 35 prism diopters of residual esotropia.
Comment
Acquired esotropia, which frequently has a
refractive component, presents a clinical challenge in
that the proper amount of surgery can be difficult to
determine. Surgery done for the residual angle while
wearing full hyperopic correction could result in
undercorrection. To avoid this, the prism adaptation
test may be used to uncover a patients true or maxi-
mum esodeviation. For this test, Fresnel prism of suf-
ficient strength to fully correct residual esotropia is
placed on the patients glasses. After a period of
adaptation, which may be hours, days, or weeks, the
deviation is re-measured.
In some cases, the initially placed prisms con-
tinue to fully correct the angle. In this case, the
patient is said to not respond to the prism adaptation.
If Worth four light fusion is measured, surgery is done
in an appropriate full amount for the residual angle;
that is, the amount corrected by the prism. In other
cases, the angle increases or builds after the initial
full correction with prism, and more prism must be
added to neutralize the esotropia. Such patients are
said to respond. More surgery is indicated for
patients who increase their angle of deviation after
wearing prisms that initially fully correct the devia-
tion.
 Strabismus case management

For practical purposes, a maximum of 60 prism
diopters of Fresnel prisms is used for the prism adap-
tation test. If more esotropia builds, no more prism is
added and maximum esotropia surgery is done. In
the case presented here, a large amount of surgery
was done for what appeared to be only a 20 prism
diopter residual esotropia. Because the esotropia
increased to at least 35 prism diopters after adapta-
tion, more surgery was justified. This patient will
wear his glasses after surgery as long as they are nec-
essary to maintain alignment.
We could have elected to do surgery in this
case after one session of prism adaptation, selecting
an amount of bimedial rectus recession appropriate
for the initially adapted angle; that is, a bimedial
recession 10.0 mm from the limbus for 35 prism
diopters of esotropia. In the study protocol of the
prism adaptation test, prism would have been added if
the patients angle continued to build up to a maxi-
mum of 60 prism diopters before discontinuing adap-
tation. I believe that sufficient information can be
gleaned in most cases from one session of adaptation.
Those patients who adapt by increasing their
esotropia while wearing fully correcting prisms
should have an appropriate amount of surgery, but it
is probably impractical to attempt to titrate the
amount too finely.

A B

A, Another typical acquired esotropia; B, residual esotropia while wearing fully correct-
ing plus lenses. She is a candidate for prism adaptation. With prism adaptation, sur-
gery is done either for the residual angle (as shown in B) or for the adapted angle,
which means that more surgery will be done if the esotropia increases while wearing
prism that corrects the deviation initially.

429
Chapter 16
CASE 51: Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia
Clinical picture
A B
A 47-year-old woman with limited motility and ptosis. A, Primary position B, upgaze.
History
For more than 20 years, this 47-year-old
woman has had diplopia associated with a known
diagnosis of chronic progressive external ophthalmo-
plegia (CPEO). She has no other systemic disease
and specifically has no heart problems indicative of
Kerns-Sayre syndrome which includes CPEO, pig-
mentary retinopathy, and complete heart block. She
is annoyed by constant double vision and ptosis. She
has chronic exposure of the right cornea that requires
frequent instillation of topical lubricating drops. She
would like to have treatment that would enable some
single binocular vision, even if it were only a small
area.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/40 and OS 20/30 with
correction as follows: OD -2.00+1.75 X 90 degrees
and OS -3.25+2.00 X 100 degrees. Ocular motility is
severely limited in all fields. The patient can move
her eyes only slightly away from the primary position
in any direction. In primary gaze, she has vertical
diplopia. Images are fused after placing a 15 diopters
base-down prism in front of the right eye. The
remainder of the eye examination is unremarkable.
Diagnosis
Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia
(CPEO).
430
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the right superior rectus with
appropriate prism postoperatively for residual devia-
tion; bilateral frontalis suspension aimed at some
undercorrection.
Comment
Patients such as this pose a challenge to the
strabismus surgeon. Obviously, eye muscle surgery
will not restore normal or even near normal move-
ment. Prism therapy is appropriate in some cases, but
in others, the deviation is so great that prisms are
heavy, cumbersome, and therefore impractical. In
that case, appropriate recessions and resections of the
rectus muscles can be carried out in an attempt to
align the eyes at least in the primary position. A
smaller residual deviation, either horizontal or verti-
cal (or both), can then be treated with prism. It is also
frequently necessary to treat these patients with tem-
porary Fresnel prism because the deviation tends to
be variable. Because of the possibility of Kern-Sayre
syndrome, CPEO, retinitis pigmentosa, and heart
block, all patients with CPEO should have an electro-
cardiogram and a careful retinal examination, includ-
ing in some cases an electroretinogram. As a final
resort, a patch or an occluding lens may be used to
eliminate diplopia.

CASE 52: Ocular myasthenia
Clinical picture
A B
A, Ptosis of the left upper lid. B, Left hypertropia apparent when the lid is lifted.
History
This 46-year-old has a 10-year history of recur-
ring visual complaints secondary to ocular myasthe-
nia gravis. These are characterized by episodes of
horizontal and vertical diplopia and by ptosis. He is
being treated with Mestinon under the supervision of
a neurologist. He is also using oral prednisone inter-
mittently in doses up to 80 mg every other day, with
the dosage titrated depending on his visual symptoms.
Examination
Visual acuity is 20/20 in each eye with the fol-
lowing correction: OD -1.00 and OS -0.75. At the
time the above photograph was taken the patient was
obviously having no difficulty with diplopia because
of the complete ptosis of the left upper lid. However,
2 months later, the ptosis resolved completely and 15
prism diopters of left hypotropia remained. The devi-
ation was nearly comitant at this time, and there was
a slight limitation of elevation of the left eye.
Diagnosis
Myasthenia gravis with ocular manifestations.
Strabismus case management
Treatment
While Mestinon can be very effective for treat-
ment of the systemic manifestations of myasthenia
gravis, this medication is not very useful for the treat-
ment of diplopia. Instead, prednisone taken in doses
of 10 to 80 mg every other day can help eliminate or
reduce the double vision. Since the diplopia from
ocular myasthenia is variable and responsive to treat-
ment with oral corticosteroids, surgery is rarely indi-
cated. However, in a few cases where the diplopia
has been long-standing and refractory to steroid treat-
ment, we have done surgery. If, for example, the left
hypotropia in this man remained for several months
in spite of maximum steroid dosage, we would con-
sider doing strabismus surgery. In this patient I
would do a left superior rectus resection or possibly,
but less likely, a left inferior rectus recession. For a
deviation larger than 15 diopters, a recession of the
right superior rectus could be added. In cases like
this, recession is actually an attractive choice because
the procedure is tissue sparing and potentially
reversible. When contemplating surgery in a case of
ocular myasthenia gravis such as this, it is necessary
to weigh all of the variables and to be sure that the
specific needs of the patient are kept at the forefront.
If the surgery must be undone it is always easier
and more effective in my hands to advance a previ-
ously recessed muscle than to recess a previous
resected muscle.
431
Chapter 16
CASE 53: Absence of the medial rectus muscle
Clinical picture
Ninety prism diopters of right exotropia in a patient subse-
quently determined to have absence of the right medial rec-
tus muscle.
History
This 54-year-old woman stated that her right
eye has been way out for as long as she can remem-
ber. She had repair of a cleft lip and palate as a child.
She would like to have the right eye straightened if
possible.
Examination
Visual acuity in the left eye is 20/20 and the
right eye is 20/400. A morning-glory disc anomaly is
present in the right eye. The left disc is normal.
Ductions are full in the left eye. The right eye cannot
adduct even to the midline. The right eye elevates
and depresses normally, but the exotropia increases in
up- and downgaze, creating an X pattern. The
remainder of the eye examination is unremarkable.
Diagnosis
Apparent sensory exotropia of the right eye.
Actual diagnosis: Congenital absence of the right
medial rectus with morning-glory disc anomaly of the
right eye.
Treatment/Surgery
Presurgical plan: recession of right lateral rec-
tus 10 mm, resection of right medial rectus 10.0 mm.
432
Comment
At surgery, passive adduction in the right eye
was moderately restricted. The right lateral rectus
was found to be normal in appearance but was stiff
and nonyielding during attempts to passively adduct
this eye. After the right lateral rectus was detached,
the right eye could be adducted freely. The right lat-
eral rectus muscle was recessed 10 mm from its orig-
inal insertion. After extensive exploration of the
entire medial aspect of the globe, no evidence of the
right medial rectus could be found. Since no prior
surgery had been done and the patient denied trauma,
congenital absence of the right medial rectus was
diagnosed. The right superior and right inferior rec-
tus muscles were then identified and split for approx-
imately 20 mm along the long axis. A strip of banked
sclera approximately 3 mm wide and 50 mm long was
prepared by cutting it in a spiral fashion from an
intact sclera shell, and 5-0 Merseline suture was
woven through this scleral strip. The center of the
strip was sutured to the patients sclera where the
medial rectus would have inserted. The strips were
then placed through the split superior and inferior
recti and the ends of the suture-reinforced sclera strip
were pulled together over the site where bank sclera
had been sutured to host sclera. When the muscle
slips of the superior and inferior rectus were almost
touching, the bank sclera was sutured to itself. This
pulled the right eye nearly straight in the primary
position. Postoperatively, the patient had approxi-
mately 15 prism diopters of right exotropia with a
vastly improved appearance (see chapter 13).
Though any of the extraocular muscles can be
missing, the most commonly absent muscle-tendon is
the reflected tendon of the superior oblique. I have
also seen absence of the inferior rectus and, as shown
in this case, the medial rectus. I have not personally
encountered congenital absence of either the lateral or
superior rectus; however, the latter has been reported
in cases with craniofacial anomalies where the supe-
rior oblique tendon was also missing.
After surgery, a CT scan of the head was
obtained and basal encephalocele was found. It is
well known that morning-glory disc is associated
with midline defects, including basal encephalocele
and midline clefting of the lip and palate. I believe
that the absent medial rectus muscle in this case is
part of an overall failure of normal development of
midline facial structures. In retrospect, a preoperative
imaging of the orbit would have provided information
about the missing medial rectus.

CASE 54: Traumatic disinsertion of the inferior rectus muscle
Clinical picture
A, Left hypertropia in a patient with traumatic disinsertion of the left inferior rectus; B, early postoperative normal
depression of left eye after reattachment of a traumatically disinserted left inferior rectus muscle; C, normal
appearance several months after surgery.
History
This 16-year-old girl hit her face on a screen
door 4 months earlier. Immediately afterward she
noted double vision, with images being vertically sep-
arated. The double vision was worse in downgaze.
She stated that she saw a single image in upgaze. A
CT scan of the orbit done elsewhere was said to be
normal. She was then referred for evaluation of this
traumatic left hypertropia, which was thought by her
referring physician to be caused by a blowout fracture
in spite of normal radiographic findings.
Strabismus case management
Examination
Visual acuity is corrected to 20/20 in each eye
with contact lenses: OD -2.50 sphere, OS -3.00
sphere. In primary position, 16 prism diopters of left
hypertropia is present with the right eye fixing. A
large right hypotropia measuring 30 prism diopters is
present in the primary position while the left eye is
fixing. Ductions were normal in the right eye.
Depression of the left eye was limited more in abduc-
tion than adduction. On attempts to look down with
the left eye, an asymmetric skin crease developed in
the left lower lid approximately 12 mm below the lid
margin.
433
Chapter 16

Diagnosis
Traumatic disinsertion of the left inferior rectus
muscle.
Treatment/Surgery
Reattachment of the left inferior rectus muscle.
Comment
The inferior rectus is the muscle most com-
monly affected by traumatic disinsertion.* This may
be due to the fact that this muscle is the least well pro-
tected of the extraocular muscles, especially during
forced lid closure and upward movement of the eye
with the Bell phenomenon. Any of the extraocular
muscles could be injured and subsequently weakened
by trauma, depending on the unique nature of a given
injury. We have seen several patients who sustained
foreign body penetration of the orbit with objects
such as a store display hook, doorstop, pencil,
penknife, and tree branch, causing trauma to the supe-
rior oblique tendon, trochlea, superior rectus, and
medial rectus. When treated in a timely manner, reat-
tachment of the traumatically detached rectus muscle
is effective in restoring normal function. In long-
standing cases or in cases with disturbance of the
orbital fascia, it may be necessary to recess the con-
tracted antagonist to free local restrictions in addition
to reattaching the detached muscle. If an extraocular
muscle has been lacerated posterior to the insertion,
the cut ends should be simply reapproximated muscle
to muscle with repair of the muscle capsule and inter-
muscular fascia. However, the more posterior the lac-
eration, the more likely the patient is to have cicatri-
cial restriction and persistent strabismus.

This 77-year-old man was struck in the left eye by the blade of a mowing
machine. Miraculously, the large blade cleanly disinserted his left inferi-
or rectus without causing any other damage except a slight contusion of
the right lower lid. This patient was seen approximately 3 hours after the
accident. Two hours later, with the patient under local anesthesia, the
inferior rectus was reattached. The patient was immediately restored to
single binocular vision.

*Helveston, EM, Grossman, RD; Extraocular muscle lacerations, Am J Ophthalmol 81(6):754-760, 1976.

434

CASE 55: Diplopia after cataract extraction from left
inferior rectus restriction
Clinical picture
A B
A, Left hypotropia--18 prism diopters. B, Restricted upgaze.
History
This 79-year-old woman has had vertical
diplopia for the past 1 1/2 years. It began immediate-
ly after her second (left eye) cataract was removed
and an intraocular lens implanted. She has been
wearing Fresnel prisms, which eliminate the diplopia
but cause annoying blurring of vision.
Examination
Visual acuity with correction is OD 20/25-2
and OS 20/40-2. A 12 diopter base-up Fresnel prism
is on the left lens. Prism cover testing shows 18
prism diopters of right hypertropia (left hypotropia)
at distance fixation in the primary position. This
increases in upgaze. There is moderate limitation of
elevation of the right eye and more pronounced limi-
tation of elevation of the left eye. Passive ductions
were restricted to elevation in the left eye.
Diagnosis
Left hypotropia with diplopia after cataract
extraction from left inferior rectus restriction.
Treatment/Surgery
Adjustable left inferior rectus recession.
Comment
This woman gives a typical history of diplopia
after cataract extraction. The cause of her problem
Strabismus case management
was a mechanical restriction to elevation associated
with the left inferior rectus confirmed at surgery.
Although the Fresnel press-on prism was successful
in eliminating her diplopia, it caused blurring of
vision in the left eye. Glass prism would have been
an alternative, but at 12 prism diopters glass prism
creates a wide edge on the spectacle lens. Prisms are
heavy; the total weight is similar (but the edge
reduced) if the prism strength is divided between the
lenses. At surgery, 2 ml of 1% xylocaine was inject-
ed for 360 degrees subconjunctivally near the limbus
to provide anesthesia in the left eye.(see p 69). The
left inferior rectus was recessed using an adjustable
suture. After the inferior rectus was detached and
reattached to the globe with the suture, the patient
was asked to respond to visual targets overhead while
she was supine on the operating table. In addition to
this subjective testing, during which she observed
horizontal and vertical ceiling tiles, cover testing was
also done. The inferior rectus was secured with a
bow knot when the patient reported single vision and
when no shift was noted on the cover test. An hour
later in the recovery room, prism cover testing was
repeated. When the patient continued to show no
shift with the cover test, the knot was tied off into a
surgeons knot. The presumed cause of the inferior
rectus restriction was myopathic change of the left
inferior rectus secondary to the retrobulbar injection
of anesthetic agent at the time of the cataract surgery.
435
Chapter 16

Conditions leading to diplopia after cataract extraction

Condition No. of patients (N = 38)

Superior oblique palsy diagnosed
2
before cataract surgery
Superior oblique palsy diagnosed
5
after cataract surgery
Sensory deviations noted before cataract surgery 4

Childhood esotropia 3

Childhood exotropia 1

Skew deviation 2

Superior rectus muscle paresis 2

Choroidal neovascular membrane
1
involving the macula
Decentered intraocular lens 2
Idiopathic (presumed myopathy from
16
local anesthetic)
From Hamed LM, Helveston EM, Ellis FD: Am J Ophthalmol 6(6):741-744, 1987

436

CASE 56: Diplopia after repair of retinal detachment
Clinical picture
Left hypotropia and exotropia after repair of a
retinal detachment in the left eye.
History
This 56-year-old woman had repair of a retinal
detachment in the left eye 1 year ago. She has
obtained an excellent recovery of visual acuity in that
eye, but since surgery she has been bothered by hor-
izontal and vertical diplopia. She would like to have
her eyes straightened and be rid of the diplopia.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/20 and OS 20/50. The
patient is wearing the following glasses: OD -3.50,
OS -7.50. Ductions are entirely free in the right eye.
The left eye has moderate limitation of adduction and
elevation. The conjunctiva of the left eye has moder-
ately reddened and scarred from her previous retinal
detachment surgery. The left eye has a high buckle
with a chorioreintal scar where the retinal hole was
treated.
Diagnosis
Left hypotropia and exotropia secondary to her
retinal detachment repair.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the left lateral rectus, resection of
the left superior rectus.
Strabismus case management
Comment
The more successful the retina surgeon is in
restoring useful vision, the more likely it is that the
patient fortunate to have good vision restored will be
at risk for the complication of diplopia. This patient
is an example. While most visually rehabilitated reti-
nal detachment patients are free of diplopia, the few
who have it are usually disturbed by it. Double vision
can be related to side effects of the detachment or its
repair and may actually be monocular diplopia or
binocular triplopia. Patients like this should always
be evaluated for monocular diplopia. This is diag-
nosed if diplopia persists with one eye closed. If it is
eliminated when the patient looks through a pinhole,
the diplopia is caused by conditions in the ocular
media. Monocular diplopia that persists when look-
ing through a pinhole is of retinal or of central nerv-
ous system origin. However, the most common
diplopia after repair of retinal detachment is binocu-
lar diplopia caused by adhesions of the peribulbar fas-
cia and/or the extraocular muscles, from paresis of an
extraocular muscle, or from restriction caused by an
encircling band or other support element.
In the case described here, the left superior rec-
tus muscle apparently had been detached and then
reattached approximately 7 mm from the limbus
resulting in what amounted to a recession of this mus-
cle. Passive ductions were free before detaching the
muscle. An encircling element was found just poste-
rior to the superior rectus insertion. Resection and
advancement of the left superior rectus muscle total-
ing 5 mm was done without disturbing this encircling
band. The left lateral rectus was then recessed 5 mm
with the muscles final position remaining anterior to
the encircling band. Postoperatively the patients
eyes were aligned in the primary position, and she
was free of diplopia in all useful fields of gaze.
Frequently, in cases of diplopia after retinal detach-
ment surgery, it is necessary to remove supporting
elements. This can be done safely a year or more
after the detachment surgery. After this time, the var-
ious elements no longer provide support to the retina.
However, if there is ever a question about the safety
of removal of retinal hardware, the retinal surgeon
should be consulted before taking the patient to sur-
gery. In my experience, when strabismus surgery is
required in a post retinal detachment repair patient
who has an encircling band the surgery is more effec-
tive if the band is removed.
437
Chapter 16
CASE 57: Diplopia after repair of retinal detachment
Clinical picture
Right hypertropia in a patient who is wearing
4 diopters base-down prism OD and 4
diopters base-up OS.
History
This 60-year-old man had retinal detachment
repair done on the right eye one year ago. Six months
ago, he underwent vitrectomy in that eye because of
multiple large floaters in the vitreous. Since the sec-
ond surgery, he has had constant diplopia. He is
unable to drive at night, especially in the rain. His
right eye myopia increased after surgery, but he wears
undercorrecting glasses to lessen the effect of his
diplopia.
Examination
Visual acuity with his present glasses is OD
20/300- and OS 20/25. He is wearing glasses as fol-
lows: OD -4.75+0.75 X 150 degrees 4 diopters of
prism base-down, and OS -2.50+0.50 X 35 degrees 4
diopter of prism base-up. Prism and cover testing in
the distance shows 3 prism diopters of exotropia and
10 prism diopters of right hypertropia. At near, meas-
urements increased to 5 prism diopters of exotropia
and 12 prism diopters of right hypertropia with left
head tilt. There is slight limitation of depression OD.
Refraction of the right eye is -7.00+0.75 X 115
degrees. With this, visual acuity improves to 20/60.
Diagnosis
Right hypertropia producing diplopia after reti-
nal detachment repair and vitrectomy of the right eye.
438
Treatment
The patient was given new glasses with the
proper myopic correction and a total of 10 diopters
base-down prism OD and 3 diopters base-in prism
OS. He was also told that surgery could be done if he
was not satisfied with prism treatment.
Surgery
The patient later decided to have surgical cor-
rection because he was more comfortable with his
new glasses. An adjustable right superior rectus
recession was done.
Comment
Passive duction testing at surgery demonstrated
restriction to depression of the right eye. This con-
firmed the need to explore the area of the right supe-
rior rectus. Scarring of the intermuscular membrane
and anterior Tenons capsule was found in conjunc-
tion with an encircling band and a sponge that were
immediately behind the superior rectus insertion. The
sponge and the band were removed and the superior
rectus muscle was recessed using an adjustable
suture. Although this patients eyes were aligned
postoperatively, he complains of a strain while
wearing his fully correcting spectacles. It is possible
that the patient is actually having symptoms from the
aniseikonia, in which case treatment may be aimed at
intentionally blurring the right eye by undercorrecting
the myopia as was done before surgery. In some cases
with unequal visual inputs acquired in adulthood,
comfortable binocular vision is not attainable. This
may be such a case.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 58: V pattern esotropia with overaction of the

inferior oblique muscles
Clinical picture

C A D

A, Chin depression with straight eyes; B, esotropia in downgaze; C, overaction of the right inferior oblique;
D, overaction of the left inferior oblique; E, eyes aligned in upgaze.

History
This 4-year-old girl was brought in for exami-
nation by her parents because they observed that she
holds her chin down when she looks at things and that
one eye seems to shoot up when she looks to the
side.
marked (3+) overaction of both inferior obliques. A
V pattern was present with straight eyes when look-
ing up and 35 prism diopters of esotropia when look-
ing down. The remainder of the examination was
unremarkable.

Examination Diagnosis
Marked chin depression was the most obvious 'V' pattern esotropia with bilateral overaction of
sign when observing this child. She had 20/40 vision the inferior oblique muscles.
in each eye with pictures. Cyclopegic refraction was
OD +1.75 and OS +1.50. Versions demonstrated

439
Chapter 16

Treatment/Surgery
Bilateral inferior oblique weakening.
Comment
This is a case of so-called primary overaction of
the inferior obliques. Such a case could be called
bilateral congenital superior oblique palsy. However,
in this case, at surgery the superior oblique traction
test was normal bilaterally, as indicated by finding a
definite knife-edge response. The true cause for
this so-called primary inferior oblique overaction is
unknown to me. In a case like this, bilateral inferior
oblique weakening is effective in opening up the V
pattern by decreasing the esotropia in downgaze. As
an alternative, the medial recti could be shifted
downward to treat the V, but this would be more
reasonable if there were anti-mongoloid fissures or
other evidence of pulley heterotopy. In case of a
bilateral congenital superior oblique palsy confirmed
by finding a loose superior oblique tendon on superi-
or oblique traction testing, the superior oblique
weakening procedure could be done. This procedure
is more difficult. Most surgeons prefer to weaken the
inferior obliques.

B A C

This patient is similar to the previous patient with a V pattern except that A, the head posture is normal; B, and
C, the inferior obliques do not overact; and D, a small exotropia is present in upgaze and E, Esotropia is present
in downgaze. This patient would benefit from downward shift of the insertion of the medial rectus muscles.

440
 Strabismus case management

CASE 59: A exotropia, bilateral overaction of the superior

obliques, dissociated vertical deviation (DVD)

Clinical picture

C A D

A, In the primary position the eyes are aligned with the chin slightly depressed. B, A small esotropia is seen in
upgaze. C, The left superior oblique overacts. D, The right superior oblique overacts. E, Fifty diopters of
exotropia is seen in downgrade.

History
This 19-year-old college freshman has had dif-
ficulty in concentrating on her schoolwork. She has
difficulty especially when required to read for long
periods. She is also concerned because her friends
often say that there is something funny about her
eyes. Neither the patient nor her parents had any
apparent further insight into the problem in that they
were not aware of any crossing or misalignment of
the eyes.
Examination
Visual acuity without correction is 20/20. The
eyes are straight in the primary position, but the
patient appeared to dip her chin down slightly and to
look upward as an unconscious gesture. Six of nine
stereo dots (80 seconds) were fused. Ductions were
full in either eye. On testing of versions, a significant
A pattern was observed with bilateral overaction of
the superior oblique muscles. Cover and uncover
testing revealed 1+ dissociated vertical deviation in
each eye in the primary position. Five prism diopters

441
Chapter 16
of esotropia was present in upgaze and 50 prism
diopters of exotropia was present in downgaze, con-
firming that a large A pattern was present. These
motility findings were demonstrated to the girls par-
ents. They exclaimed that they had never seen the
eyes do this!
Diagnosis
The triad-A exotropia, bilateral overaction of
the superior obliques, dissociated vertical deviation.*
Treatment
None now -- see comment.
Surgery
None now -- see comment.
Comment
This patient demonstrates an ocular motility
triad that is not uncommon but which must be looked
for carefully and with awareness that such a pattern of
motility disturbance exists. This triad can occur pri-
marily or as a secondary strabismus. It can occur in a
patient who has excellent fusion or in one without
fusion. The degree of involvement can be mild or
marked. In this case, the patient had only minimal
DVD but had a rather marked A pattern. She was
able to compensate for this effectively by assuming a
slight chin depression. In cases like this, it is often
necessary to point out the findings to the family. For
this patient, I recommend no surgery for several rea-
sons. First, neither the patient nor her family knew
that there was any specific motility problem when
they came for this examination. They only were
A B
A, With his chin down and looking up, this patients eyes were aligned. B, Exotropia measuring 40 diopters in
downgaze. C, Aligned eyes in upgaze.
* Helveston, EM: A-exotropia, alternating sursumduction and superior oblique overaction, Am J Ophthalmol 67:3, March 1969.
442
aware that something was wrong. In addition, this
patient is doing satisfactory schoolwork with only
minimal symptoms. However, if in the future, she has
more difficulty with either her schoolwork or with the
comments of her friends, surgery could be done. The
fact that both the patient and her family will have
some insight into the nature of the strabismus makes
it more reasonable to consider surgery some time in
the future. It is not a good idea to perform surgery for
a strabismus that neither the patient nor the family
noticed!
If surgery were to be done for this patient, it
would consist of bilateral weakening of the superior
oblique tendons. It should be understood that weak-
ening of the superior oblique tendons in a fusing
patient should be done symmetrically and with full
consideration for the consequences; that is, loss of
fusion and creation of vertical strabismus with
diplopia. In other cases of this triad where the disso-
ciated vertical deviation is also a significant problem,
bilateral superior rectus recession can be combined
with bilateral superior oblique weakening. As an
alternative procedure in this case, the lateral rectus
muscles could be shifted downward one-half to three-
quarters muscle width. This procedure is safer and
it is certainly easier to reoperate if the need should
arise. It would treat the superior oblique overaction if
the lateral pulleys were displaced upward as in a
mongoloid fissure.
The 5-year-old boy shown below was examined
because he habitually kept his chin down and looked
up. Because this was becoming a problem, according
to his parents, and since they were aware of the stra-
bismus and the implications of treatment, he was
treated with bilateral superior oblique recession.
C

CASE 60: Parinuads paralysis of elevation
Clinical picture
Downgaze in a 28-year-old woman with
Parinauds syndrome.
History
This 28-year-old woman was treated for a
pituitary tumor at age 5 years. Since that time, she
has been unable to look up. In order to see, she
chronically elevates her chin and looks down. She
is also bothered by intermittent diplopia. Her
biggest problem now is pain and stiffness in her
neck, presumable secondary to chronically elevating
her chin. She frequently seeks professional help for
the neck pain.
Examination
Visual acuity is OD 20/25 and OS 20/40 while
wearing the following correction: OD +1.25+0.75 X
135 degrees, and OS +1.75+0.50 X 45 degrees. The
patient assumes approximately 20 degrees of chin
elevation while looking downward chronically. She
cannot elevate her eyes even to the midline. The
eyes are approximately 15 prism diopters exodeviat-
ed in downgaze and approximately 15 prism
diopters esotropic with maximum attempt of upgaze.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Parinaud syndrome--paralysis of upgaze.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of both inferior recti 5.0 mm, resec-
tion both of superior recti 6.0 mm, with advance-
ment of Lockwoods ligament 5.0 mm.
Comment
This patient has no realistic hope of fusion, but
she can be helped by simply bringing her eyes up to
the primary position to enable comfortable vision
without elevating her chin and arching her neck. In
this type of case, expectations are limited, but any
help that the patient can obtain is usually greatly
appreciated. After surgery, this patient had no need
to lift her chin, but she was slightly more aware of
diplopia. She considered this a more than adequate
trade off for the improved head and neck posture.
443
Chapter 16
CASE 61: Null point nystagmus
Clinical picture
A B
A, With the head straight acuity is diminished and nystagmus is present (vision 20/80); B, With right face
turn and levoversion nystagmus is dampened (acuity 20/40).
History
This 29-year-old woman complains that her
eyes dance and her vision is poor. The only way she
can improve her visual acuity is to turn her face to the
right and look far to the left. She is employed as a
technician in an ophthalmologists office.
Examination
With the head straight and the eyes in primary
position, visual acuity is 20/80 in each eye and with
both eyes open. A large amplitude right-beating nys-
tagmus is present. When the patient attempts to
improve her visual acuity, she turns her face 40
degrees to the right and assumes maximum levover-
sion. Visual acuity then is 20/40 with both eyes open.
Visual acuity in levoversion reduces to 20/60 with
either eye occluded, because of latent nystagmus.
After repeated checks of visual acuity, the patient
always assumes the same head posture with right face
turn and left gaze. The remainder of the eye exami-
nation is unremarkable.
Diagnosis
Null point nystagmus.
444
Treatment/Surgery
Anderson procedure: Recession of the left lat-
eral rectus, and recession of the right medial rectus.
As an alternative this patient could have recession of
the four horizontal recti to the equator.
Comment
Since the description more than a half century
ago, the surgical procedure of choice for null point
nystagmus has been based on the principle of the
Kestenbaum-Anderson procedure. This procedure
attempts to shift the null point of nystagmus to the
straight-ahead position. To accomplish this, using as
an example the patient shown here, the left lateral and
right medial rectus muscles are recessed and left
medial and right lateral rectus muscles are resected.
This means that the neural output for levoversion
required preoperatively will put the eyes in the pri-
mary position with the head straight or nearly straight
after surgery. In the years since its inception, this
type of surgery has been only moderately successful.
Actually, a few years after surgery, most patients note
that the head posture gradually returns or they find
that they can achieve comfortable vision by turning
their head just as far as before but in the opposite

direction! In the beginning, Kestenbaum recom-
mended recessions and resections limited to 5 mm.
Anderson recessed only the two yoke muscles a dis-
tance of 5 mm. Since this null point nystagmus sur-
gery tended to be unsuccessful, the surgical amounts
were gradually increased proportionally by frustrated
surgeons. Finally, Pratt-Johnson described doing 10
mm recessions and resections in both eyes. I suspect
that even this maximum surgery will over time fail in
many cases. There is something decidedly nonphysi-
ologic about this null point nystagmus surgery,
because after this surgical procedure is done, patients
must chronically exert effort to hold their eyes and
head straight, whereas in the normal state this posture
should require the least effort! This may be the rea-
son why some patients assume a head posture in just
the opposite direction in order to sustain comfortable
vision.
I have begun to do recession of the four hori-
zontal recti instead of the modified Kestenbaum-
Anderson procedure for most null point nystagmus.
By relaxing all of the horizontal rectus muscles, the
Strabismus case management
amplitude of nystagmus diminishes by about 50%. If
the null point nystagmus improves and then later
reverts to preoperative findings or if no improvement
results from large recession of the four horizontal
recti, the yoked rectus muscles opposite the preferred
version (the same side as the direction of the face
turn) are advanced to their original insertion. This
procedure(s) appears to be more physiologic and def-
initely is tissue sparing. Actually it is a larger, staged
Anderson procedure. At the present time, this
approach to null point nystagmus is unproven.
However, since the Kestenbaum-Anderson procedure
is proven, but proven lacking for the most part, any
logical alternative for this surgery seems reasonable.
In some cases of null point nystagmus, a pri-
mary Anderson procedure can be done using larger
numbers than originally described. For example,
with null point achieved by dextroversion the right
lateral rectus would be recessed 8.0 to 10.0 mm and
the left medial rectus recessed 12.5 mm from the lim-
bus.
445
Chapter 16
CASE 62: Congenital nystagmus with decreased vision
Clinical picture
A 16-year-old boy with congenital nystagmus (shown here
after surgery).
History
This 16-year-old boy has been followed for
congenital nystagmus since age 5 years. He and his
mother say that he has had dancing eyes all of his
life. Visual acuity had been recorded on repeated
occasions with the letter chart at no better than 20/80
at distance with both eyes. He has always been able
to read newspaper size print and he has made satis-
factory progress in school. However, because of
reduced visual acuity, he was unable to obtain a learn-
ers permit and enroll in drivers education. The boy
and his mother returned for an annual examination at
age 14 years to find out if anything could be done to
help this boys acuity level that would allow him to
obtain his learners permit. He drives a motorbike
without difficulty and has driven an automobile under
supervision with his family.
Examination
Before surgery, visual acuity with correction is
OD 20/80 and OS 20/100, both eyes 20/80 without
glasses. Cycloplegic retinoscopy is OD and OS
+0.75. A rapid, moderate amplitude pendular nystag-
mus is present in the primary position. This becomes
a right-beating nystagmus on right gaze and a left-
beating nystagmus on left gaze. The nystagmus
amplitude increases slightly in each eye when the fel-
low eye is occluded. Near vision is 20/40, and the
nystagmus is damped significantly by convergence.
Both optic nerves are small, but no double rings sign
is noted and a clear cut diagnosis of bilateral optic
nerve hypoplasia cannot be made. The remainder of
the eye examination is unremarkable.
*Speilmann A, Dahan A: Double torticollis and surgical artificial divergence in nystagmus, ACTA Strabol, 1985 p 187.
446
Diagnosis
Congenital motor nystagmus with decreased
visual acuity.
Treatment/Surgery
Recession of the four horizontal rectus muscles.
Comment
Nystagmus has two important connections with
visual acuity. First, poor vision causes nystagmus, if
the poor vision has onset at a young age. The 2-4-6
rule of Cogan states that poor vision occurring before
2 years of age always produces nystagmus, poor
vision before 4 years of age can result in nystagmus,
and poor vision after 6 years of age does not produce
nystagmus. The second important relationship is that
nystagmus causes reduction in vision. These two can
be combined. That is, nystagmus can cause a reduc-
tion in visual acuity in an otherwise normal eye or in
an eye with some reduction in vision because of the
motion of the retinal image. In a case where suitable
retinal potential exists, stabilizing the retinal image
results in improved visual acuity. A common strategy
for stabilizing the retinal image and improving visual
acuity is the head turn adopted in null point nystag-
mus. In another strategy, nystagmus can be reduced
and visual acuity improved by convergence. Most
patients with congenital motor nystagmus and with
nystagmus having its origins in relative visual deficits
will see better at near because of reduced amplitude
of nystagmus and because the retinal image is larger.
Nystagmus can also be damped by induced
convergence stimulated by the use of base-out prism,

by overcorrecting minus lenses and by surgery to pro-
duce artificial divergence as recommended by
Spielmann*. However, this treatment technique has
not become widespread. Surgery to shift the null
point of nystagmus (Kestenbaum-Anderson proce-
dure) does not improve vision; it simply attempts to
improve head posture in a patient who has already
developed a strategy to improve vision.
The four-muscle recession procedure is a
unique strategy for damping nystagmus and in turn
improving visual acuity. This was originally done 40
years ago by Bietti and Bagolini. They discarded the
technique because it did not retain its effectiveness.
Later, Limon of Mexico City revived the procedure
and reported significant success. von Noorden and
Sprunger reported successful results in three patients,
and we later reported successful results.
The principle of the four-muscle recession is to
more or less diminish the power of the rectus muscles
by reducing the length tension and the lever arm in a
balanced way so as to not induce strabismus. This
technique is designed to reduce the exuberance of the
contraction of the muscle, the factor ultimately
responsible for the eye movement.
The technique for recession of the four hori-
zontal recti for treatment of nystagmus was original-
ly to move the muscles back to a point approximate-
ly 2 mm behind the equator. Some surgeons moved
the medial and lateral rectus muscles a nearly equal
amount meaning that the relative recession of the
medial rectus was actually greater. As would be
expected, this produced exotropia pointing out the
need to recess the recti a proportional amount mean-
ing that the medial recti should be recessed 2 or 3 mm
less than the lateral recti. Later it was suggested that
since the functional origin of the rectus muscles could
be at their pulley, recession behind the equator was
not necessary. In response, I began recessing the hor-
izontal only to the equator with no change in results
from surgery.
Indications for four-muscle surgery for nystag-
mus are the following:
1. Reduced visual acuity and nystagmus,
preferably, but not necessarily, with vision
improved with the nystagmus damped.
2. Difficult eye contact because of nystagmus
3. Understanding on the part of the patient that
improvement will be incremental and not
necessarily dramatic
4. No contradiction to surgery
My experience with four muscle recession for
the treatment of nystagmus can be summarized in the
following:
1. Less than 10% of nystagmus patients fit the
criteria for surgery.
2. Patients who are candidates for surgery
should be expected to benefit from the reduc-
Strabismus case management
tion of nystagmus amplitude with or without
improvement in visual acuity.
3. If visual acuity improves at all after surgery,
it is on the order of one line!
4. Recession of the four horizontal recti is car-
ried out to or slightly in front of the equator.
5. After surgery, nystagmus amplitude is
reduced about 50% while frequency remains
unchanged.
6. As pointed out by Sprunger, et. al., recogni-
tion time improves after four muscle reces-
sion. This means that a patient can recognize
the smallest optotype in less time. The func-
tional value is that a person can enter a new
and possibly confusing environment and
become oriented faster.
7. After surgery, ductions are reduced, but sym-
metrically and to a minimal degree.
8. New strabismus after four muscle recession
is rare and is easily managed at a second pro-
cedure.
9. Patients are pleased with the results in nearly
every case and state that they would do it
again.
10. On three occasions, a second family member
underwent the surgery after observing results
in a parent, a sibling,, and a grandparent. A
woman who had surgery for her nystagmus
brought her son a year later; she was so
pleased with the results. In another case it
was sisters with universal albinism. The sec-
ond sister, observing the results of surgery,
accompanied her sister at a one year follow
up and requested surgery for herself. In a
third case, a grandfather with nystagmus had
the surgery to see if it was effective. After
the results of surgery were evident, he
brought into the clinic two grandchildren to
have four muscle recession.
Recently, Hertle and DellOsso reported that
simply detaching and reattaching the four horizontal
rectus muscles has a beneficial effect on nystagmus.
This would rely on the disruption of proprioceptive
response of the rectus muscles.
The four muscle recession for treatment of nys-
tagmus is said to rely on soft evidence and anecdot-
al endorsement, making it difficult to defend on a
purely scientific basis. In addition, it was subject to
criticism and even warnings against what could be a
wholesale approach to the treatment of nystagmus.
This has not happened. Instead, a relatively small
number of patients have received a modest but appre-
ciated improvement in both their visual function and
appearance.
Patients should be thoroughly counseled before
this surgical procedure is done. The small average
improvement of visual acuity should be emphasized.
447
Chapter 16
Patients should be told that the nystagmus will not go
away. At best, the amplitude is reduced by approxi-
mately 50% but the frequency remains unchanged.
Patients are also told that between 10% and 20% of
patients need additional surgery for a new horizontal
strabismus, usually an exotropia. In our practice,
6.5% of 396 consecutive patients seen over a 5-year
period with a principal diagnosis of nystagmus had
this type of surgery. This means that because of strin-
gent selection criteria, relatively few patients are con-
sidered suitable candidates for four-muscle recession
for the treatment of nystagmus. When comparing
four-muscle recession, a tissue-sparing operation,
with the bilateral 10 mm recession/resection or sim-
ilar procedures, for treatment of null point nystag-
A B
A, Primary position alignment after four horizontal rectus recession posterior to the equator followed by 6.0 mm
advancement of the left medial rectus for secondary exotropia. B, Dextroversion is full. C, Levoversion is full.
448
mus, it is clear that the four-muscle recession is less
radical than other methods for surgical treatment of
nystagmus, some of which have been more or less
accepted as standard and routine.
Immediately after the recession of the four hor-
izontal recti, visual acuity in the patient described in
this case improved to 20/60 with both eyes open. On
the basis of this improvement, he was able to obtain
a drivers license with driving privileges limited to
the daylight hours. Two years later, vision remained
at 20/60 tested binocularly, but 20 diopters of left
exotropia developed. This was treated with a 6.0 mm
advancement of the left medial rectus, which result-
ed in alignment.
C

CASE 63: Nystagmus after brain stem stroke
Clinical picture
The right eye has vertical, horizontal, and rotary nystag-
mus with oscillopsia after a brain stem stroke. The left
eye vision is hand motion from a corneal scar. A left
seventh nerve palsy persists. A lateral tarsorraphy has
been done.
History
This 55-year-old woman complained of
reduced vision because of constant movement of her
environment (oscillopsia). She had a brain stem
stroke 2 years previously, and in addition to her visu-
al difficulties, she is confined to a wheelchair because
of hemiparesis. Her left eye has only hand motion
vision because of a corneal scar following an ulcer
that occurred secondary to exposure, which in turn
was caused by lagophthalmos from seventh nerve
palsy on the left. This patient wanted some relief
from oscillopsia to be able to read and to watch tele-
vision.
Examination
Visual acuity in the right eye with correction of
-0.50+1.50 X 90 degrees is 20/100 and in the left eye
it is hand motion. A large amplitude pendular hori-
zontal vertical and to a lesser extent rotary nystagmus
is present in both eyes. The left eye is 30 prism
diopters esotropic, with a dense corneal scar obscur-
ing the visual axis. A facial paralysis is present on the
left as well as sixth nerve palsy on this side. The right
eye is normal except for the nystagmus.
Strabismus case management
Diagnosis
Oscillopsia and reduced visual acuity from nys-
tagmus secondary to brain stem stroke.
Treatment/Surgery
Retrobulbar Botox.
Comment
This is the second patient ever to be treated
with retrobulbar Botox. I treated the first patient
with toxin injected into the four rectus muscles. This
had no beneficial effect. As a second attempt in this
patient, 25 units of Botox was injected into the retrob-
ulbar space. This patient had improvement of visual
acuity from less than 20/100 to 20/30 in 2 days. The
improved vision resulting from decreased movement
of the eye lasted for about 3 months. After that, the
Botox injection had to be repeated, fortunately pro-
ducing similar results. After three injections, this
patient asked to be followed by an ophthalmologist
closer to her home to continue this form of treatment.
The patient described here, the second patient
so treated, had the same response as the patient
described in the preceding paragraph. She has had a
total of more than 30 retrobulbar Botox injections,
each remaining effective for approximately five
months. After each injection, visual acuity improves
to between 20/30 and 20/40 within 24 to 48 hours.
No complication from this treatment has been noted.
At first we were curious that this patient never had
ptosis after any treatments, nor did the first patient
after three treatments. We later learned that this was
because we had the patients sit up immediately after
the injection. This prevented the toxin from pooling
at the apex and affecting the nerve to the levator
palpebri. Because of presbyopia in both of these
patients, requiring reading glasses, any effect on
accommodation is not significant.
More than two dozen patients have been treated
successfully in our clinic. The relief is temporary, but
is appreciated by the patients.
Retrobulbar Botox provides significant tempo-
rary improvement in vision for the few who qualify
for this type of treatment.
449
Chapter 16
CASE 64: Superior oblique myokymia
Clinical picture
History
This 47-year-old teacher complains that sever-
al times a day he sees things double and moving.
The second image moves with a pulsating torsional
pattern. Without warning, objects seen by the left
eye tilt upward and outward. He can stop the sensa-
tion only by closing this eye. It disappears sponta-
neously and comes on without warning.
Examination
The patient has 20/20 visual acuity in each eye.
The remainder of the eye examination is completely
normal, and he fuses 9/9 stereo dots (40 seconds).
Refraction is plano in each eye. After observing this
patient for several minutes and after repeated testing
of versions, especially having him look up and to the
right, a rhythmic incyclodeviation and depression of
the right eye began. This is a motion typical of supe-
rior oblique myokymia and nothing else. While I
observed these motions, the patient described the
excyclo-oscillopsia.
Treatment
Just wait. It may go away! Possible medical
treatment includes carbamazepine initially. Also,
clonazepam, phenytoin, and baclofen have been
used.
450
Surgery
Right superior oblique weakening plus ipsilat-
eral inferior oblique weakening
Comment
Superior oblique myokymia is a rare ocular
motility disorder. In the handful of cases that I have
seen, patients are extremely disturbed by the oscil-
lopsia. Medical treatment may not be successful and
can have serious side effects. I do not endorse it.
Superior oblique weakening can be successful in alle-
viating these symptoms. I prefer to do this by means
of disinsertion of the tendon. Superior oblique palsy
occurs frequently in cases treated this way. When
this occurs, a weakening procedure of the antagonist
inferior oblique is done. I have treated one case of
superior oblique myokymia with injection of Botox
into the superior oblique muscle. This also produced
a marked ptosis. When the ptosis resolved, the
myokymia returned. A repeat injection did the same,
but the myokymia was greatly improved after the
second injection. Whether this is only due to the
Botox treatment is open to question.
 Strabismus case management

CASE 65: Typical refractive esotropia

Clinical picture

A B

A, Esotropia of 45 prism diopters. B, Eyes are aligned wearing +3.00 diopters spectacles.

Comment
This boy, who is now 5 years old, developed
esotropia at age 3 years. He was found to have a
hyperopia of +3.00 diopters and given glasses to fully
correct this. While wearing these glasses, he is
aligned with 9/9 stereoacuity (40 seconds) and has
essentially normal motility. This represents a typical
pattern for a patient with refractive esotropia. After
initial success, these patients typically continue to do
well with glasses wear. Some patients are even able
to revert to part-time wearing of glasses during the
teen years and later, but because of asthenopia and/or
blurred vision related to the hyperopia, they always
return to wearing glasses during adulthood and well
before the usual age of presbyopia. These patients
have a normal to slightly high accommodative con-
vergence--accommodation ration (AC/A), and the
deviation is the same at distance and near.
A disquieting movement advocating surgery
instead of optical correction for refractive esotropia
has begun among some strabismologists, primarily in
Europe.* Substituting surgery for optical correction
for refractive esotropia flies in the face of all that we
know about the nature of this condition. Patients
undergoing surgery for refractive esotropia continue
to require correction for hypertropia and are therefore
asthenopic or simply have blurred vision without
optical aid, particularly in the teens and later years.
In addition, patients treated with bimedial rectus
recession or equivalent for refractive esotropia are
very likely to develop exotropia with or without rein-
stitution of glasses. Surgery in place of hyperopic
correction for treatment of refractive esotropia
should be condemned!

*A roundtable discussion on the management of fully accommodative esotropia can be found in Campos E, Editor: Strabismus and ocu-
lomotility disorders, Proceedings of th e Sixth Meeting of the International Strabismological Association, London, 1991, Macmillan, pp
269-305.
**Jampolsky A, von Noorden GK, Spiritus M: Unnecessary surgery in fully refractive accommodative eostropia Australian-New
Zealand. J Ophthalmol Nov 1991 (19)4 p 370-373.

451
Chapter 16

CASE 66: Refractive/accommodative esotropia (high AC/A)

Clinical picture

B C

A, Without correction, this patient has esotropia at distance (in some cases of pure accom-
modative esotropia [high AC/A] the eyes may be aligned in the distance) and crossing at
near. Her refraction after cycloplegia is OD and OS +2.50. B, Fixing in the distance
through the carrier and wearing full correction, the eyes are aligned. C, Fixing at near
through the carrier, the patient has a large esotropia. D, Fixing at near through the +3.00
add (bifocals are usually from +1.50 to +3.50), the eyes are aligned.

Comment
Refractive/accommodative esotropia can be
difficult to manage. These patients may be plano,
hyperopic, or even myopic, but they all have in com-
mon a high accommodative convergence/ accommo-
dation (AC/A) producing an esotropia at near. The
philosophy of treatment varies according to the stra-
bismologists experience. I use bifocals if the eyes
are aligned at near while looking through them, but
not if the angle of deviation is only reduced. Patients
may be continued with bifocals as long as they are
necessary to maintain fusion. Some strabismologists
attempt to wean patients from bifocal wear gradually,
while others stop bifocals abruptly at a certain age or
at a certain reduced near deviation. Some do not use
bifocals at all. In selected cases, bimedial rectus
recession with or without posterior fixation suture
may be done for patients whose eyes are straight in
the distance but who reach their teen years and cannot
be weaned from bifocals without developing
esotropia at near. There is no universally agreed upon
way to deal with this type of strabismus. Prolonged
wearing of bifocals has been said to contribute to pre-
mature presbyopia. This could be a reason for dis-
continuing them in favor of surgery or even allowing
the child to be esotropic at near. In such a case, the
distance alignment can have an effect on the near con-
tributing eventually to near alignment.

452
 Strabismus case management

CASE 67: Refractive esotropia with dissociated

vertical deviation

Clinical picture

A B

C D

A, Esotropia in a 6-month-old girl. B, Eyes aligned with +3.00 diopter glasses. C, Without correction, the
esotropia remains at age 6 years. D, With glasses, the eyes are aligned but DVD is present in each eye.

Comment
This infant was brought in for examination at
6 months of age with 30 diopters of esotropia that
had its onset at 3 months of age. Full correction of
3.00 diopters of hyperopia in each eye resulted in
straight eyes. This is early for refractive esotropia.
By age 4 years, this patient, who retained alignment
while wearing her glasses demonstrated gross stere-
opsis, but also had DVD! This case blurs the dis-
tinction between refractive and congenital esotropia.
I believe that this child has congenital esotropia
straightened with glasses instead of surgery. The
best treatment for this child is the continued use of
her glasses. She was later found to have asymmetric
optokinetic nystagmus suggesting that the basic
problem is a congenital fusion deficit. To further
complicate this case, the girl was eventually found
to have overaction of the superior obliques causing
an A pattern. This case may be an example of very
early onset refractive esotropia actually being a
milder form of congenital esotropia

453
Chapter 16
Summary
The 67 case histories included here are a sam-
ple of the clinical spectrum of strabismus. Because of
its unlimited potential for variation, strabismus could
never be comprehensively described. This list instead
offers a glimpse of the larger clinical picture. There
will undoubtedly be omissions noted. For example, I
have not discussed inferior oblique palsy, a condition
seen one or two times a year in a busy strabismus
practice. In order to avoid overlooking this entirely I
would simply suggest recession of the yoke, the con-
tralateral superior rectus, in this case. A tuck (or
resection and advancement) of the paretic inferior
oblique would make sense, but this procedure is
rarely done.
Another case not described in this list of cases
is the heavy eye hypotropia and esotropia that
occurs in some patients with very high myopia on the
order of approximately -15.00 and above. Such a
patient was seen early in the telemedicine program
when patients were submitted via e-mail. Pictures of
this patient were given to Dr. von Noorden for the
sixth edition of Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility
and can be found on page 474 with an excellent
description of this condition. My advice to the refer-
ring doctors in 1999 was to recess the medial and
454
inferior rectus muscles. Since that time, imaging of
the orbit has shown that this deviation could be
caused by a migration of the lateral rectus inferiorly
secondary to a dehiscence of the superior temporal
intermuscular membrane due to the enlarging globe.
This makes the inferior rectus a depressor. In this
case, elevating the lateral rectus and even connecting
it to the superior rectus muscle has been suggested
along with medial rectus recession. I have had no
experience with this treatment
A strabismus surgeon will encounter clinical
problems that differ from those presented here in
detail but not necessarily in kind. Because each case
is unique, you will be required to provide your own
personal solution for the management of each strabis-
mus patient. In doing this, you should always strive
to manage each problem by using tested principles
and by adhering to sound surgical technique. You
should apply the tools, skills, and insights of a pro-
fessional challenged with the need to solve a wide
array of complex problems.
If this book has any value, I hope the value is
that it challenges the strabismus surgeon to arrive at
the proper approach to a strabismus problem through
the application of sound principles rather than by
adherence to dogma.
 17
Complications of
strabismus surgery

Complications of strabismus
surgery
In the performance of surgery for strabismus or
place. An example of this type of complication is
any other indication, complications will occur if sur-
lower lid lag with widened palpebral fissure after
gery is performed in a sufficient number of cases.
inferior rectus recession. (3) The third category of
This means that surgical complications can be elimi-
complication is characterized by a new problem that
nated, at least on a statistical basis, only by not doing
is unrelated to the reason for the planned strabismus
surgery. Therefore, it is a truism that if a surgeon per-
surgery. This type of complication would occur, for
forms surgery enough times, a complication will
example, if the patient is burned by an anesthesia-
occur. However, whether or not a complication is
heating device or if a retinal detachment or endoph-
said to occur depends in part on the surgeon's defini-
thalmitis occur.
tion. The only certain way to avoid complications
The results of strabismus surgery are unique
other than to avoid surgery is to deny that a compli-
because they are clearly evident for all to see. They
cation exists. This self-serving strategy on the part of
are neither covered by clothing nor internally located
the surgeon is seldom tolerated by the patient.
(although dark glasses may be used). After strabis-
For our purposes, a complication is defined as a
mus surgery patients can, and do, study their align-
factor or event developing in the course of treating a
ment by looking in the mirror and by testing them-
primary condition that appears unexpectedly and
selves for diplopia. They also react to how others
changes existing plans and/or outcome. Just what
seem to relate to them ("people don't know where I'm
specifically constitutes a complication varies from
looking"). The patient also evaluates the results of
surgeon to surgeon. The following are criteria estab-
surgery on a functional basis reporting, for example,
lished from my personal experience.
diplopia or asthenopia.
Complications range from minor and annoying
to severe and threatening. The latter challenge the Criteria for success after
well-being of the patient and create extra concern on
the part of the surgeon. Complications occur in three
strabismus surgery
categories. (1) Unacceptable results are complica- To establish a better foundation for evaluation of
tions that relate directly to the reason for the surgery. complications, it is appropriate to discuss criteria for
The results are unsatisfactory because the alignment success. A perfect result from strabismus surgery
is not cosmetically acceptable, diplopia, persists, the could include the following: (1) minimum immediate
conjunctiva is scarred and unsightly, or similar rea- postoperative discomfort, (2) no apparent conjuncti-
sons. The surgeon is not happy with the effects of val scars, (3) normal palpebral fissures, (4) normal
surgery because he thinks he could have produced a versions and ductions, (5) orthotropia, (6) equal and
better result. (2) A second category of complications normal visual acuity, and (7) normal stereo acuity.
is a new problem related to the reason for surgery. Only rarely is the perfect result attainable because
Although the problem may be related to the general the patient who requires strabismus surgery rarely has
area of strabismus surgery, it is not necessarily relat- the motor and sensory potential for attaining such a
ed to the condition being treated surgically in the first result, except perhaps for the patient who has inter-

455
Chapter 17
mittent exotropia and normal stereo acuity. In prac-
tice, although the intermittent exotropia patient
potentially may be the one most likely to attain per-
fect results, often these results are not achieved. This
may be for the same reason that the patient develops
intermittent exotropia in the first place.
If a perfect result is not attainable after strabis-
mus surgery, what then? A reasonable goal for stra-
bismus surgery should be established to determine a
basis for what could be termed an acceptable result.
For example, an acceptable long-term result could
provide the patient with improved function and/or
appearance without the introduction of other compli-
cating factors. Some acceptable results could include
small undercorrection, small overcorrection, minimal
dissociated vertical deviation, a slight or barely per-
ceptible lid fissure anomaly, slight incomitance, min-
imal conjunctival redness, diplopia only in extreme
gaze, and mild Brown syndrome, to name a few.
Early postoperative phenomena that are self-limited
and should not be considered complications include:
transient suture reaction, benign subconjunctival
hemorrhage, minimal lid edema, corneal abrasion
with prompt healing, and a delle with prompt healing.
An acceptable result can include a variety of less than
perfect results and even some transient complica-
tions that end in the best result that can be hoped for
given the presenting condition.
The above lists are relatively minor inconven-
iences or discomforts that may or may not be avoid-
able. Since they are completely reversible, they may
not be considered a complication. The status of
stereo acuity, fusional amplitudes, and vision are pre-
operative modifying factors. They can affect the out-
come of surgery but are neither ordinarily affected,
nor enhanced by, proper surgery.
In assessing the results of strabismus surgery, a
very important axiom should be remembered: noth-
ing gets better with litigation pending. The person
who is involved in an accident and who is seeking
compensation or other type of relief may depend
either consciously or unconsciously on pain and suf-
fering to achieve a perhaps deserved amount of com-
pensation. It can be more difficult for such a patient
to maintain a positive attitude toward obtaining a
good result from a surgery. The surgeon must be
patient, supportive, appropriate, and above all, under-
standing in such cases.
Complications after strabismus surgery can
include constant diplopia, unsightly conjunctival
scars often with limitation of ductions, overcorrection
of a significant amount according to the criteria of the
patient and surgeon, undercorrection of a like
amount, significant lid fissure anomalies, and severe
Brown syndrome. Some of these problems can occur
in spite of properly performed surgery. In the case of
an overcorrection, the strabismus surgeon could say:
"Mrs. Jones, your surgery went fine, but you overre-
456
acted to the right amount of surgery." Although this
is said primarily in jest, there is a grain of truth pres-
ent. A case in point is iatrogenic Brown syndrome
that can occur after a tucking or other strengthening
procedure carried out on the superior oblique tendon.
The patient may achieve an excellent effect in the pri-
mary position but develop diplopia in the field of
action of the antagonist inferior oblique muscle
because of a non-yielding superior oblique tendon.
The question is, "Was the surgery performed proper-
ly?" From the patient's point of view, the answer
might be no. From the surgeon's point of view, how-
ever, the surgery may have been performed exactly as
planned, but too much of the tendon was tucked.
Although preoperative superior oblique tendon test-
ing leading to titrated superior oblique tuck makes
this condition less frequent, it still occurs. In either
case, the patient has a problem and relief is needed.
Late-occurring exotropia or dissociated vertical devi-
ation (DVD) after initially successful surgery for
esotropia should not be considered a complication,
but rather an unstable result in a patient who does not
have bifoveal fusion potential. It is a manifestation of
the natural history of the strabismus.
Some new problems related to strabismus sur-
gery could include the following: lost muscle, infe-
rior oblique adherence or inclusion syndrome, scleral
perforation, retinal detachment, orbital hemorrhage,
cellulitis, operation on the wrong muscle, proptosis,
symblepharon, conjunctival cyst, Tenon's prolapse,
endophthalmitis, surgical procedure on the wrong
eye, or surgical procedure on the wrong patient.
New problems appearing after strabismus sur-
gery that are unrelated to the original surgery can be
the most serious of all complications and include pro-
longed apnea, hyperthermia, gastric bleeding, and
even death. It should be noted that the unrelated or
new problems associated with strabismus surgery are
commonly anesthesia-related. Prolonged apnea may
occur in patients who have received a depolarizing
relaxant such as succinylcholine in the presence of
reduced blood pseudocholinesterase levels, such as
would occur after treatment with phospholine iodine.
Unplanned admission of an outpatient, usually relat-
ed to an anesthetic complication, or vomiting, may be
reported as a complication by the hospital's quality
assurance committee.
Malignant hyperthermia is a familial condition
but is difficult to anticipate unless a positive family
history is noted. Most operating rooms are now sup-
plied with dantrolene, which is administered immedi-
ately when malignant hyperthermia is encountered.
I encountered an unusual complication of sur-
gery, severe postoperative gastric bleeding. This
occurred in a patient who apparently had an aberrant
artery at the esophageal-gastric junction. Bleeding
developed after this artery ruptured with postopera-
tive suctioning of the stomach. An overnight admis-

sion was required, but the bleeding stopped without
specific treatment. A skin burn from a heating blan-
ket and one case in which a heated tube on the anes-
thesia machine caused a second-degree thermal burn
of the arm are other examples of complications unre-
lated to strabismus surgery.
Because complications or the potential for com-
plications are an unavoidable part of strabismus sur-
gery, guidelines for treating and/or avoiding these
complications should be established. Each surgeon
should acquire and maintain sufficient skills. This is a
must. The surgeon should have sufficient knowl-
edge of his patient, the reason for doing the surgery,
and should prepare both himself and the patient pre-
operatively in light of the patient's specific needs.
The surgeon and his patient should then maintain
realistic expectations with regard to the outcome of
the proposed strabismus surgery.
Informed consent
Preoperative informed consent obtained for stra-
bismus surgery should include these potential com-
plications: loss of vision, diplopia, and need for reop-
eration. A long list of complications which could
include bleeding, infection, and anesthetic problems
need not be mentioned specifically. All are implied
by the three warnings given.
When a complication is encountered, it is essen-
tial to deal with the patient with candor and compas-
sion, maintaining a healthy doctor-patient relation-
ship. Denial of a complication by the surgeon is guar-
anteed to exacerbate the problem in the patient's
mind. This is understandable. If the patient is having
a problem and the surgeon does not recognize its exis-
tence, the patient might magnify the problem until the
surgeon or some other physician (or attorney) does
recognize a problem, either real or imagined. The
best way to deal with a complication is to recognize
that its exists, convey this awareness to the patient,
and implement a plan to remedy the situation.
Diplopia
Bothersome diplopia after surgery is a problem
that can be treated successfully temporarily and in
most cases, permanently. The immediate remedy for
diplopia is obvious: patch one eye constantly or alter-
nate the patch between the two eyes. This type of
treatment is often appropriate for the patient who has
an early postoperative overcorrection such as
esotropia after surgical treatment for an intermittent
exotropia. Diplopia persisting more than a few days
may require treatment with prisms, either temporary
Fresnel prisms or permanent prisms ground into the
spectacles. If time and these remedies fail, reopera-
tion to relieve the diplopia may be necessary.
Complications of strabismus surgery
A few patients may have a type of diplopia that
is not a complication of surgery but is the patient's
own problem. This type of diplopia has been termed
central disruption of fusion that can occur after closed
head trauma. Other patients have foveas that repel
rather than attract with a condition called horror
fusionis. Another relentless form of diplopia is
caused by bilateral cranial nerve palsies producing
secondary deviations in all fields of gaze and making
comfortable fusion impossible. Further active treat-
ment may only worsen that problem and the patient
should be counseled appropriately. Patching one eye
or use of an opaque contact lens or, best of all, estab-
lishing the patient's own suppression mechanism
could be the only real remedy. Some of the most
unfortunate diplopia-plagued patients that I have
encountered are those with acquired third cranial
nerve palsy, usually with aberrant regeneration, who
have their eyes fairly well straightened by surgery but
who have constant and incapacitating double vision.
Unless these patients can develop suppression, which
they often cannot, they may be better off unoperated
retaining a larger angle of strabismus or as an alterna-
tive, with some form of occlusion.
Some postoperative patients will literally look
for diplopia and in the process become agitated.
These patients may complain of double vision when
reading while lying on their back in bed or while
assuming some other extreme position or when look-
ing in extremes of gaze. I tell these patients to
assume a more hygienic posture for reading and tel-
evision viewing. It is useful to differentiate diplopia
that must be looked for and found from diplopia
that looks for and finds the patient and in the
process disrupts the normal flow of events. The for-
mer is an unavoidable part of much strabismus. It can
be dealt with by the patient in most cases. The latter
may be dealt with by surgical or nonsurgical means
but in some cases could be intractable. For the most
part, patients seem satisfied by and benefit from this
explanation of double vision. Further, it is valuable to
tell patients that anyone with two eyes, even those
with perfectly normal motility, can experience double
vision in certain circumstances. Some patients with
longstanding horizontal strabismus and no preopera-
tive fusion potential experience diplopia after their
eyes are aligned by surgery. When these patients
complain about diplopia, you can offer to put the eyes
back in the preoperative state at no charge if the
diplopia is more of a detriment than the alignment is
beneficial. This would be said with tongue in cheek
and with the assurance that in nearly every case the
diplopia goes away with onset of suppression provid-
ed the patient will give the process sufficient time. I
know of no patient to date who has exercised this
option.
457
Chapter 17
Reoperation
As part of the preoperative discussion about what
can be expected during and after surgery, the patient
can be given some estimate of how often repeat sur-
gery may be required both in the immediate postop-
erative period and long term, based on experience.
For example, in cases of congenital esotropia without
manifest nystagmus (including manifest latent nys-
tagmus) I tell parents that between 80% and 85% of
postoperative alignment will be between orthotropia
and 10 prism diopters of residual esotropia and that
motor alignment will be considered satisfactory both
by us and by the parents about 90% of the time. They
are also told that most children will need one or more
additional surgical procedures months to years later
for new problems such as secondary exotropia,
oblique dysfunction, A or V pattern, dissociated ly thin sclera. Transection of the optic nerve has
vertical deviation, or recurrent esotropia, even though
alignment is excellent after the initial surgery.
Finally, parents are told that children treated for con-
genital esotropia should be followed by an ophthal-
mologist regularly until their teen years.
Other more complicated cases are given different
but realistic estimates. In cases of congenital
esotropia with manifest nystagmus, I tell families that
repeat surgery for residual esotropia must be per-
formed more often than in cases without nystagmus.
In other cases, appropriate estimations are given.
However, in each case families are told that we will
make a 100% effort to make the present operation the
last one that is needed. The realities are that we can-
not meet these ideals and that some reoperations are
inevitable, but we try nonetheless. In the past, sur-
geons were likely to overestimate the need for repeat
operations, possibly as a hedge against not obtaining
the desired results the first time. This type of preop-
erative information would tend to make the surgeon
seem extra proficient if he happened to achieve align-
ment the first time. I believe this approach is an
unfair burden to place on the family and is not entire-
ly honest. Another small but important point to
emphasize is that statistics are more for the benefit of
the surgeon than the family. In a given case, the need
for reoperation, if it is needed, will be 100% in the
patient's experience even if it is only one out of the
last 10 patients the surgeon has treated. The other
nine patients will be dealing with a surgeon who is
successful 100% of the time.
458
Loss of vision
Loss of vision is a rare complication of strabis-
mus surgery. Causes include retinal detachment, vit-
reous hemorrhage, endophthalmitis, posterior cham-
ber hemorrhage, cataract, lens subluxation, hyphema,
corneal opacity, optic nerve damage including tran-
section, and glaucoma. These complications are
caused by the mechanical or microbial consequences
of inadvertent perforation of the retina at the time of
dissection or needle placement or by disruption of
blood vessels. The best way to avoid these complica-
tions is to adhere to proper technique and the surest
way to encounter these complications is to stray from
this practice. Even with meticulous technique, scler-
al and retinal perforation can occur especially in
patients who have the predisposing factor of extreme-
occurred during the course of strabismus surgery, but
to my knowledge such cases have not been reported
in the strabismus literature. Before this dreadful com-
plication occurred, the surgeon must have thought
that something unusual in the anatomy was being
encountered. Whenever I am confronted with such a
thought during strabismus surgery, I remind myself
that there are more anomalous surgeons than anom-
alous anatomy!
Postoperative nausea and
vomiting
Postoperative nausea and vomiting with strabis-
mus surgery has been common. Traction on the
extraocular muscles and the depth of anesthesia
required for eye muscle surgery contribute to this
postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, with
outpatient surgery, the incidence of this complication,
at least in our institution, has decreased dramatically.
The principal change in the patient's routine and quite
likely the reason for the reduced nausea and vomit-
ing is the withholding of preoperative narcotics.
These medicines, useful to the anesthesiologists, con-
tribute to vomiting after surgery. With the present
routine, anxious toddlers and younger school-aged
children receive midasolam (Versed) preoperatively,
a calming drug that does not seem to produce vomit-
ing. This reduction notwithstanding, the occasional
patient must be admitted for this complication but it
occurs in less than 1% of cases and therefore is no
longer a significant problem. In addition, the use of
propofol as an anesthetic agent during surgery has
reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea and
vomiting.
 Complications of strabismus surgery

Acute, allergic suture reaction

Acute, allergic suture reaction occurred with
varying severity in approximately 10% and possibly
even 20% of patients who had strabismus surgery
with organic suture material (catgut or collagen).
This allergic reaction initially looks like a dull red,
smooth mass beneath the conjunctiva at the site of the
muscle reattachment. The usual postoperative course
with uncomplicated strabismus surgery is for the ery-
thema associated with surgery to gradually recede,
becoming minimal after the first week. In patients
who experience a suture reaction, the operated eye
shows a significant and fairly sudden increase in red-
ness beginning 10 to 14 days postoperatively. This
redness coincides with the beginning of disintegration
and absorption of the gut or collagen suture.
Clinically, apparent acute suture reaction is more fre-
quently associated with resections than recessions
because more suture material is used and the sutures
are placed near the limbus. Acute, allergic suture
reaction is not a serious complication. This reaction
does not alter the outcome of surgery and is self-lim-
iting, subsiding in 2 to 4 weeks if untreated (Figure
1).
Prevention
With the nearly universal use of synthetic
absorbable suture, allergic suture reaction has been
virtually eliminated. Rare cases have been reported
and I have seen a few patients who appeared to react
to synthetic absorbable suture. Prevention when
using gut or collagen may be impossible.
Treatment
Treatment consists of nothing or of topically
applied steroids. When treatment is used, I prefer
prednisolone 0.12% twice a day for 7 to 10 days.

Figure 1
A Acute allergic suture reaction occurred 12 days after
inferior rectus resection.
B After application of prednisolone 0.12% twice a day for 10
days, the reaction disappeared.

459
Chapter 17
Chronic suture granuloma
Chronic suture granuloma is fortunately a rare
occurrence in strabismus surgery. It appears in less
than 0.5% of cases. This reaction is characterized by
a solid, red, protruding mass over the site of the mus-
cle reattachment. It usually occurs about a week after
surgery, beginning before the usual erythema associ-
ated with surgery begins to clear. The granuloma is
composed of chronic inflammatory cells and fibrous
tissue. It may diminish with time but does so slowly
and incompletely. It occurs with gut or collagen
suture. I have not seen chronic suture granuloma with
synthetic absorbable sutures (Figure 2)
Prevention
Prevention is the same as for acute allergic suture
reaction.
Treatment
Treatment consists of topically applied steroids; I
prefer prednisolone 0.12% twice a day for 2 weeks. If
the mass persists it must be surgically excised.
Repeat strabismus surgery may be required at this
time.
B segments of the conjunctival epithelium are buried at
Figure 2
A Chronic suture granuloma persisted 6 months after
resection of the lateral rectus.
B The eye looks white and the lateral conjunctiva smooth
after excision of the granuloma.
460
Reaction to synthetic
absorbable suture
With the advent of synthetic absorbable suture
material polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and polyglycolic
acid (Dexon), acute allergic suture reaction and
chronic granuloma formation after strabismus sur-
gery are virtually nonexistent. However, in rare cases
(less than 1%) the appearance of an acute allergic
reaction after eye muscle surgery using Vicryl has
occurred. We have not challenged these patients with
a second exposure to these sutures and it is not possi-
ble to rule out other causes for the reaction.
Treatment is the same as the preceding allergic reac-
tions. I have not encountered any adverse effect on
results of surgery (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Mild, acute suture reaction, presumed allergic, after muscle
reattachment with 6-0 Vicryl suture. This occurs rarely.
Subconjunctival cysts
A subconjunctival cyst may occur when small
the time of the conjunctival wound closure. The cysts
are usually 2 to 3 mm in diameter and are filled with
a clear fluid. They are cosmetically objectionable but
do not ordinarily compromise the results of strabis-
mus surgery. Rarely the cysts will be very large and
extend back into the orbit for 10 mm or more, occa-
sionally affecting motility (Figure 4).
Prevention
Careful closure of the conjunctiva at the time of
surgery will prevent cysts.
 Complications of strabismus surgery

Treatment
Small anterior subconjunctival cysts may be
removed in the office under topical or subconjuncti-
val 1% lidocaine (Xylocaine) anesthesia. I prefer
total excision of these cysts intact, if possible. If the
cyst ruptures during dissection, an attempt should be
made to excise the entire epithelial lining. Larger,
orbital cysts are removed in the operating room. In
my experience, these cysts are always outside the
muscle cone and therefore can be approached without
disrupting important orbital contents.

A B

C D

Figure 4
A A subconjunctival cyst after medial rectus recession.
B Large subconjunctival-orbital cyst over the left medial
rectus
C Close up view of cyst, left eye.
D CT scan demonstrating bilateral cysts over the medial
recti extending deeply into the orbit.
E The subconjunctival-orbital cyst over the left medial
rectus, seen at the time of surgery for its removal.

Photos Figure 4 B-E courtesy of Hiram Hardesty, M.D., Cleveland, Ohio

461
Chapter 17
Prolapse of Tenon's capsule
Prolapse of Tenon's capsule through the conjunc-
tival incision causes the eye to have an unsightly
appearance in the immediate postoperative period.
This prolapse is usually caused by incomplete con-
junctival closure and is made worse by excess irriga-
tion at the time of surgery. Tenon's capsule under
these circumstances tends to imbibe the irrigation
solution, thus increasing its bulk.
Figure 5
A Prolapsed Tenon's capsule persisted 2 weeks
postoperatively.
462
Prevention
Careful wound closure and limited irrigation of
the operative site diminishes possible prolapse of
Tenon's capsule. If Tenon's capsule is bulky and pro-
lapses in spite of this, any excess may be excised at
the time of the initial surgery.
Treatment
Prolapsed Tenon's capsule will usually shrink
back into the conjunctival wound without active treat-
ment. If the prolapse is excessive and the wound gap-
ing, excess Tenon's capsule should be excised and the
conjunctival wound re-sutured.
B Tenon's capsule has retracted without treatment three
months after surgery.

Suture abscess
A suture abscess appears as a yellowish elevation
over the suture placement site. It usually occurs with-
in the first week postoperatively. The eye is deeply
injected and a purulent drainage may be present. An
abscess occurs more often when a nonabsorbable
suture such as Merseline has been used. This com-
plication is rare.
Prevention
Aseptic technique at the time of surgery and rou-
tine use of antibiotics postoperatively will prevent
suture abscess.
Treatment
Treatment includes drainage of the abscess under
topical, local, or general anesthesia, removal of the
suture nidus if present, and appropriate topical antibi-
otic treatment after a culture has been obtained.
Delle
A delle is a small area of corneal stromal thin-
ning caused by localized drying of the cornea. This
corneal thinning does not represent melting away of
tissue, but rather shrinkage of tissue as a result of
local dehydration. The corneal epithelium is intact
and does not stain, but fluorescein will pool in the
area giving the appearance of staining. The intact
epithelium along with stromal thinning makes the
A B
Figure 6
A Rather large delle with associated stromal clouding. This
clouding is reversible.
B A less obvious delle adjacent to an area of elevated
conjunctiva.
Complications of strabismus surgery
delle different from an ulcer or corneal melt. The
localized drying leading to delle formation is usually
caused by elevation of the conjunctiva at the limbus.
Delle were found in 8% of 100 consecutive patients
who had extraocular muscle surgery with the limbal
approach. Most were subtle actually subclinical seen
only with the slit lamp for this study. Delle are usu-
ally benign complications that do not affect the out-
come of strabismus surgery. Clinically significant
delle are rare.
Prevention
Smooth closure of the conjunctiva, especially
adjacent to the limbus, will prevent delle formation.
If decreased tear formation is found preoperatively,
the operated eye should be patched and/or artificial
tears used after surgery.
Treatment
Occlusion of the eye for 1 or 2 days will result in
rehydration of the cornea and disappearance of the
delle. Frequent instillation of lubricating drops may
be used in lieu of a patch. If the conjunctival eleva-
tion causing the dellen persists, the conjunctiva is
smoothed surgically or the offending conjunctiva can
be excised with conjunctival recession and bare scle-
ra closure.
C The cause of a delle is localized corneal stromal
dehydration caused by a mound of conjunctiva at the
limbus, disrupting lid-cornea apposition.
463
Chapter 17
Lid fissure anomalies
Changes in the vertical dimension of the palpe-
bral opening may occur after recession and resection
procedures on the vertical rectus muscles. Lid dis-
placement after vertical rectus surgery occurs in the
same direction as the shift in the insertion of the ver-
tical rectus muscle. Ptosis of the upper lid can occur
after resection of the superior rectus. Retraction of
the upper lid can occur after recession of the superior
rectus. Elevation of the lower lid occurs after large
resection of the inferior rectus. This means that
excessive resection of either the superior or inferior
rectus can cause a narrowing of the palpebral fissure
and excessive recession of either the superior rectus
or the inferior rectus can cause widening of the palpe-
bral fissure. Recession of the caruncle and widening
of the medial aspect of the palpebral fissure occur
after a slipped or lost medial rectus muscle (Figure
7).
Figure 7
A Ptosis of the left upper lid occurred after excessive
resection of the left superior rectus. The surgeon
actually intended to resect the left lateral rectus.
464
Prevention
Recession and resection of the inferior rectus is
usually limited to 5 mm, except in special cases when
these numbers may be exceeded if careful dissection
of the rectus muscle from its surrounding structures is
carried out. After a large recession of the inferior rec-
tus is performed, the ligament of Lockwood may be
brought forward and sutured to the outer surface of
the inferior rectus muscle (see Chapter 6). Very large
recession of the superior rectus of 10 mm or more for
the treatment of dissociated vertical deviation has
essentially no effect on upper lid height. But these
are usually hang back and the recession may not be
as large as planned.
Treatment
Plastic lid repair may be performed to treat a cos-
metically objectionable lid position which has been
produced by excessive recession or resection of the
vertical recti if the ocular alignment is satisfactory. In
the case of a lacerated or slipped muscle, reattach-
ment of the slipped muscle will usually improve the
lid position.
B Ptosis of the right lower lid occurred after a 5 mm
recession of the right inferior rectus without sufficient
freeing of the inferior rectus from its surrounding
structures.
continued.
 Complications of strabismus surgery

nal scar persisted and remained unchanged over a fol-

C
low-up period of seven years in one case. In two
more serious cases of scleral rupture, a large area of
uvea was exposed during reoperation of the medial
rectus muscle. In both cases, a scleral graft was
sutured over the exposed uvea and surgery completed
successfully by anchoring the muscle to the scleral
patch. In neither case was the retina disturbed and no
further treatment was needed. We assumed that scle-
ral necrosis occurred in association with the earlier
surgery.
My guess is that simple perforation of the retina
occurs in approximately 1% to 2% of strabismus pro-
cedures. I suspect that most of these go unconfirmed,
Figure 7, contd untreated, and are without sequelae. It is necessary to
C Ptosis of the right lower lid after recession of the right
inferior rectus for thyroid ophthalmopathy. engage only superficial scleral fibers at a depth of 0.2
mm with a 1.5 mm tunnel to achieve a secure muscle-
scleral union. Longer, deeper bites are not necessary
Ptosis of the upper lid (Figure 8).

Ptosis of the medial aspect of the upper lid can

occur if the medial part of Whitnall's ligament or the
medial horn of the levator muscle of the upper eyelid
is torn. This complication is most likely to occur
when the superior oblique tendon is hooked medial to A
the superior rectus using the blind technique (see
chapter 2).

Prevention
Expose and hook the superior oblique tendon
under direct vision.

Treatment
Repair of the medial horn of the levator aponeu-
rosis is made after a skin incision.

Scleral perforation
The true incidence of inadvertent scleral perfora-
tion occurring during extraocular muscle surgery is B
unknown. However, it has been estimated to occur in
from 8% to 12% of patients in series reported before
the advent of smaller caliber needles. In a recent
prospective series where the retina at the site of mus-
cle reattachment was examined before and after mus-
cle surgery, one scleral perforation was identified in
194 procedures done in 144 eyes. This was noted at
the time of surgery as a small retinal hemorrhage
observed with the indirect ophthalmoscope in the reti-
nal periphery at a point corresponding to the muscle
reattachment. No treatment was given. Six months
Figure 8
later a small chorioretinal scar was noted. I have con- A The peripheral retina of the right and left eyes of a 35-
firmed a retinal perforation at the time of surgery six year-old patient who had bilateral lateral rectus
times. Twice I observed a small bead of vitreous on recession 25 years before.
the sclera at the site of needle placement in the scle- B These retinal scars are adjacent to the presumed site of
muscle reattachment and are thought to be caused by
ra. Observation of the retina in the operating room scleral and retinal perforation at the time of surgery. No
revealed a dot hemorrhage. No treatment was given treatment for this was given at the time. Visual acuity is
for these cases or the other four. A small chorioreti- 20/20 in each eye. The patient was not aware of any
problem with her eyes.

465
Chapter 17
Prevention
Needles should be placed in sclera with a short
shallow track with the widest dimension of the needle
parallel to sclera. If a needle is put in sclera at an
angle or on edge, scleral perforation could occur. In
cases of reoperations with adhesions and the case of
thin sclera, careful sharp dissection should be used.
In cases where thin sclera is suspected because of sys-
temic connective tissue disease or high myopia, mar-
ginal myotomy may be performed as a primary weak-
ening procedure to avoid the risk of scleral perfora-
tion associated with needle placement for recession.
A resection may be carried out safely in such cases by
leaving a slightly longer stump at the insertion and
using it for muscle reattachment. The muscle stump
may also be used as a safe anchor for a hang-back
recession.
Treatment
Any time scleral perforation is suspected at the
time of surgery, the patient's pupil should be dilated
and the retina over the site of suspected perforation
should be examined using an indirect ophthalmo-
scope. Some surgeons prefer to treat inadvertent scle-
ral perforations with prophylactic application of
cryotherapy, diathermy, or even a scleral buckle for
support. I strongly disagree with this approach.
In my opinion, simple perforation without pro-
lapse of vitreous or uvea should be left untreated. If
uvea or vitreous prolapses or if the defect is large, it
should be closed with sutures, with or without a scle-
ral graft, and further prophylactic treatment to the
retina should be considered and performed by a reti-
na specialist. If further manipulation of the eye mus-
cle would create a hazardous situation for the eye, the
extraocular muscle procedure should be suspended at
that time. I suspect that in cases of retinal perforation
more harm has resulted from over-treatment than
from under-treatment. Sprunger treated scleral-
retinal perforation created in a rabbit with cryo and
laser treatment. The amount of reaction with cryo
was significantly more than that created by a ring of
diode laser. However, experience tells us that no
treatment is the safest and most effective.
Slipped or lost muscle
There is a significant difference between a
slipped muscle and a so-called lost muscle. A lost
muscle is not really lost. It simply is no longer con-
nected to sclera and has disappeared from view. The
surgeon knows where the muscle is. It is in the orbit,
but it cannot be seen! The events surrounding a lost
muscle usually occur at the time of surgery and rep-
resent an intraoperative complication. In contrast, a
slipped muscle tends to occur gradually over time in
466
the postoperative period. The slipped muscle remains
attached to sclera but it slips back, usually in its cap-
sule. This phenomenon has been called stretched
scar by Ludwig.
A lost muscle is most likely to occur with the
medial rectus muscle because this muscle is not asso-
ciated with other muscles or orbital structures.
Loss of the medial rectus muscle can occur when
extensive dissection of the intermuscular membrane
has been done and the surgeon simply loses hold of
the muscle and it retracts behind Tenon's into the fat
compartment. This could also happen if the sutures
attaching the muscle to sclera fail immediately after
surgery and before tissue union takes place. I have
not experienced this so can only guess what takes
place intra-operatively. Given the relationship of the
lateral rectus to the inferior oblique, the inferior rec-
tus to Lockwood's, and the superior rectus to the
superior oblique tendon, it is unlikely that these mus-
cles would be lost from view at the time of surgery.
In the event a lost muscle is not detected at the time
of surgery, it will become obvious in the immediate
post operative period after the suture breaks, unties,
or the attachment to the muscle or sclera fails. The
eye in this case will not move in the field of the lost
muscle.
Slipped muscles are not at all uncommon. They
tend to occur in the weeks, months, or years after sur-
gery. This is accompanied by a gradual over-correc-
tion in the case of a slipped recessed muscle or a grad-
ual under correction in the case of a slipped resected
muscle. There will also be diminished ductions in the
case of a slipped muscle.
Prevention
The preventing of slipped or lost muscles
demands proper technique, requiring the surgeon to
do the following:
1. Place sutures securely into muscle or tendon
tissue. This is best accomplished by placing
the suture 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm behind the
insertion of the muscle during recession and a
like amount behind the muscle clamp or
crimped line during resection. This resec-
tion effect is inconsequential in my experi-
ence because the surgeon who pays careful
attention to the results of his/her surgery will
adjust surgical numbers to the technique
employed.
2. Place the needle into sclera producing a track
that is at least 1.5 mm long, including super-
ficial scleral fibers and at least 0.2 mm deep.
3. Use at least 6-0 synthetic absorbable suture
tied with a double overhand knot with a
square knot on top (surgeon's knot).

4. Before securing the muscle to sclera after
recession or resection, limit the dissection of
intermuscular membrane to a point anterior to
the emergence of the muscle through posteri-
or Tenon's capsule, thereby limiting the
extent of potential posterior slippage of the
muscle and ensuring that the muscles cut end
will stay visible even if attachment to the
globe by suture is lost.
Treatment
Treatment of a lost muscle in the operating
room has been discussed above. Apparent detach-
ment of a muscle occurring immediately after the
patient has left the operating room is an indication for
immediate return to the operating room. At this time,
careful search for the muscle should be carried out.
This can be aided by finding the disrupted suture. If
the muscle is found, it is re-sutured at the intended
point. Several drops of Neo-Synepherine 2.5%
placed on the operative site will blanch Tenon's and
episclera and will make the red muscle tissue more
evident.
Figure 9
A A 6-year-old boy after having undergone a recession of
the left medial rectus muscle and a resection of the left
lateral rectus muscle. A diagnosis of a lost left lateral
rectus muscle was made.
Complications of strabismus surgery
When a lost muscle is later suspected, a useful
diagnostic technique is computerized tomography or
MRI. If the muscle is seen behind posterior Tenon's
capsule, careful dissection can be carried out to iden-
tify the muscle that can then be reattached to the scle-
ra. I have retrieved a medial rectus muscle that had
been lost many years before by asking the patient
during a procedure done with local anesthesia to
adduct the eye while I explored the medial sub-
Tenon's space. A dimple in Tenon's that appeared
during attempted adduction led to the muscle which
was identified, dissected free, and reattached to the
globe successfully. However, the surgeon should be
cautioned against carrying out extensive blind
exploration and grasping in search of a lost muscle,
if this dissection produces fat herniation and exces-
sive bleeding. This can cause irreparable damage,
affecting alignment and conjunctival appearance. If
considerable difficulty is anticipated in finding a
lost muscle, it may be better to carry out a suitable
extraocular muscle transfer, or stop and seek immedi-
ate help or refer the patient.
B The left eye fails to reach the midline in levoversion.
C The same patient after reattachment of the left lateral
rectus.
467
Chapter 17

Figure 10
The CT scan of the right medial rectus muscle that has slipped in its capsule.
Note by the position of the lens that the right eye is exotropic.

Figure 11
A This patient has a slipped left medial rectus muscle after bimedial rectus recession.
Note the widened palpebral fissure on the left side during attempted adduction.
B The right medial rectus was lost when it slipped off a resection clamp. Prolonged blind
search for the muscle was unsuccessful and produced a large prolapse of orbital fat.

468
 Complications of strabismus surgery

Anterior segment ischemia

Reduced blood supply to the anterior segment, practical or perhaps possible to predict accurately
anterior segment ischemia, occurs in most cases of which patients will have clinically significant anteri-
strabismus surgery if looked for carefully, especially or segment ischemia; and (6) if surgery is limited to
after vertical rectus muscle surgery or surgery on two rectus muscles per procedure per eye and if no
adjacent muscles. Olver and Lee grade anterior seg- more than three rectus muscles per eye are detached
ment ischemia as follows: I decreased iris perfusion, in a lifetime, the chance of a patient developing clin-
II + pupil signs, III + uveitis, and IV + keratopathy. ically significant anterior segment ischemia is
Most patients recover iris circulation to the preopera- remote.
tive level two weeks after surgery, although a few Exceptions do occur. I did full tendon transfer on
take up to 12 weeks. Re-perfusion takes place two patients on the same day leaving the lateral rec-
through deep collateral circulation and never by tus attached but severing the other six ciliary arteries.
recanalization of the anterior ciliary vessels from the Both patients had sixth nerve palsy, were in their 40s
detached muscle. Although minor pupil changes may and were otherwise healthy. Both developed grade
persist, the first three grades of anterior segment IV anterior segment ischemia. After treatment, each
ischemia are not important clinically. Grade IV ante- had residual iris atrophy and mild cataract with loss
rior segment ischemia is characterized by corneal of two lines of vision (Figure 12).
edema, often with deep folds, heavy flare, and cells
sometimes with hypopyon, pupillary irregularity, and Treatment
sometimes cataract. All of this occurs with hypotony. Topical and systemic steroids with dilation of the
Grade IV anterior segment ischemia can cause per- pupil is the treatment of choice for anterior segment
manent damage to the eye with reduction of vision ischemia. The topical steroid can be given as 1%
from cataract, corneal scarring, and retinal (macular) prednisolone up to three or four times a day combined
changes. with prednisone orally every other day, 50 to 100 mg,
with careful monitoring of the response and tapering
Prevention of the drug as soon as possible. The pupil may be
The surgeon should avoid detaching four rectus dilated with daily installation of homatropine 5%.
muscles even if the procedures are performed many
years apart. Instead, when possible, at least one rec-
tus muscle should be left attached with its competent
anterior ciliary circulation. I have performed a
strengthening procedure when necessary on the
A
fourth rectus muscle with tuck, preserving the anteri-
or ciliary arteries. In other cases, which were consid-
ered desperate, I have detached the remaining rectus
muscle more than 10 years after the initial eye muscle
surgery without adverse results. However, no matter
how long the time interval, serious anterior segment
ischemia can occur if all anterior ciliary arteries are
severed. Rectus muscle recession with sparing of the
anterior ciliary arteries can be performed to preserve
anterior segment circulation, thereby allowing sur-
gery on a rectus muscle while retaining the integrity
of the anterior ciliary vessels. When performing a
muscle splitting muscle transfer procedure care B
should be taken to ensure that both of the anterior cil-
iary vessels are not inadvertently included in the
transferred slip of muscle. As a practical guide the
following applies to anterior segment ischemia:
(1) vertical recti have more anterior ciliary vessels,
but are not backed up by posterior ciliary arteries;
(2) older or vascular compromised patients are more
susceptible; (3) mild anterior segment ischemia is
common and is clinically insignificant; (4) it is possi-
ble to get away with detachment of four rectus mus- Figure 12
cles, but the time interval between surgeries does not A Right sixth nerve palsy, preoperatively
necessarily make this a safe procedure; (5) it is not B Corneal edema
continued.

469
Chapter 17
C defect in posterior Tenon's capsule may be closed
D terized by a hypotropia in the primary position and
Figure 12, contd
C Eyes aligned with anterior segment ischemia, right eye
D Good alignment postoperatively with dilated pupil, seg-
mental iris atrophy, and slight cataract; visual acuity
reduced to 20/40
Persistent overaction of the
inferior oblique muscle
Persistent overaction of the inferior oblique mus-
cle may occur if some of the inferior oblique fibers
have been left intact. It may also occur if the severed
ends of a myectomized muscle rejoin by muscle or
fibrous tissue. In other cases, the proximal end of the
inferior oblique can attach to sclera, so as to allow
considerable inferior oblique function.
Prevention
Careful exposure of the posterior aspect of the
inferior oblique muscle should be carried out routine-
ly. Any remaining fibers should then be transected.
This technique must be applied for both myectomy
and recession. It has been said that the inferior
oblique muscle can have two or three heads.
However, this possible anatomic variation is of no
significance in the case of myectomy performed in
the inferior temporal quadrant. When a myectomy is
470
performed, the proximal end can be tucked into the
opening in Tenon's capsule toward Lockwood's liga-
ment. After carrying out this maneuver, the small
with one or two 8-0 Vicryl sutures.
Treatment
The inferior oblique muscle must be explored
and re-weakened using the surgeon's preferred tech-
nique. The inferior oblique traction test is a useful
means for confirming persistent inferior oblique con-
nections (see chapter 4).
Inferior oblique adherence
syndrome
Inferior oblique adherence syndrome is charac-
limitation of elevation in adduction in an eye that has
undergone inferior oblique weakening. There is
always a mechanical restriction to elevation in adduc-
tion that can be confirmed with testing of passive
ductions. When this condition was described initial-
ly, it was stated that it was more likely to occur after
myectomy of the inferior oblique and that it was
much less likely to occur after recession. Experience
has confirmed that inferior oblique adherence syn-
drome could occur after any inferior oblique weaken-
ing that had been complicated by rupture of Tenon's
capsule (intermuscular membrane) and prolapse of fat
accompanied by hemorrhage. Dense scarring in the
inferior temporal quadrant is the cause of inferior
oblique adherence syndrome (Figure 13).
Prevention
Inferior oblique adherence syndrome can be
avoided if care is taken at the time of surgery. The
inferior oblique muscle should be engaged under
direct visualization. A small muscle hook should be
placed carefully behind the inferior oblique muscle
and not simply thrust deeply into the orbit. The inter-
muscular membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule)
should be left intact and any bleeding should be con-
trolled with carefully applied cautery. If any orbital
fat is encountered, it should be reposited behind the
intermuscular membrane (posterior Tenon's capsule)
and the defect closed with several 8-0 Vicryl sutures.
Treatment
The treatment of inferior oblique adherence syn-
drome presents a challenge. The surgical area should
be dissected carefully and adhesions lysed until pas-
sive ductions are free. Appropriate yoke muscle sur-
gery may be performed but persistence of some
restriction is the rule, in spite of treatment.
 Complications of strabismus surgery

Figure 13
Inferior oblique adherence, left eye. The left eye has limited
elevation, depression, and adduction. The latter leads to the
increased abduction in elevation creating a V pattern.

Inclusion of the inferior Prevention

oblique in the lateral rectus
insertion
In more than one-third of lateral rectus muscles
that we reoperate after either previous lateral rectus
recession or resection, the inferior oblique is found
attached to the inferior insertion of the lateral rectus.
Price called this the J-shaped anomaly. Patients with
this complication may have a hyperdeviation or
hypodeviation of that eye in the primary position but
usually have limited elevation and sometimes depres-
sion. There may also be limitation of adduction. The
clinical picture is similar to but not as severe as infe-
rior oblique adherence syndrome.
When operating on the lateral rectus muscle,
always make sure that the lateral rectus has been care-
fully freed from any connection to the inferior
oblique.
Treatment
The inferior oblique muscle must be dissected
free from the inferior border of the lateral rectus and
allowed to fall back. Unfortunately, even when the
inferior oblique is freed and repositioned, a residual
vertical and horizontal deviation persists. For this
reason, I now advise doing an inferior oblique myec-
tomy or recession in cases with inferior oblique inclu-
sion. This treats the acquired vertical deviation and
inferior oblique underaction.

A B

Figure 14
A J anomaly with the inferior oblique attached to the lateral
rectus at the insertion of the lateral rectus. This
complication produces various expressions of an
acquired vertical strabismus after surgery on the lateral
rectus muscle.
B The inferior oblique is inserted at the inferior aspect of
the insertion of the lateral rectus that had been resected
at the previous surgery.
continued.

471
Chapter 17
C D
Figure 14, contd
C This anomaly is treated by dissecting the inferior oblique
free from the lateral rectus muscle with or without lateral
rectus recession.
Muscle-tendon rupture
During the course of extraocular muscle surgery,
a muscle or tendon can rupture. This may be caused
by excessive force applied to the normal muscle
while handling it on a muscle hook or because the
muscle or tendon is abnormally thin or atrophic.
Greenwald has reported rupture in several patients. I
observed rupture of the inferior oblique while an
assistant was holding the muscle with two muscle
hooks before I was to have placed hemostats before
cutting out a 5 mm segment of muscle. The assistant
could not explain why this happened to the healthy
muscle. We believed that the inexperienced assistant
simply pulled too hard. A minor amount of bleeding
was controlled and the distal end of the muscle was
trimmed. The proximal muscle disappeared behind
Tenons. Unfortunately, this patient had limited ele-
vation in adduction on a mechanical basis which was
refractory to treatment. Bleeding with tissue damage
in the area of Lockwood's ligament was the suspected
cause. In another case, the superior oblique tendon
was pulled from the globe while the tendon was being
tucked. The tuck was then converted to a resection
without complication. In cases where excessive force
is the reason for rupture, as occurred with the inferior
oblique described earlier, trauma to associated struc-
tures may lead to an adherence syndrome. If the hor-
izontal recti are ruptured resulting in retraction of the
proximal portion into the posterior fat compartment,
excessive search should be avoided to prevent further
trauma leading to restrictive strabismus. Declaring
472
D After the inferior oblique has been dissected, it is allowed
to fall back in its usual place. However, in my
experience, this is not often successful so inferior oblique
myectomy is done in these cases as shown in chapter 9.
the muscle lost and carrying out a muscle transfer
could be the best course in case of such a lost hori-
zontal rectus muscle, especially the medial.
Prevention
Rupture of an extraocular muscle or tendon can
be avoided by limiting the force applied to an
extraocular muscle or tendon during manipulation in
the course of strabismus surgery. In case an abnor-
mally thin or atrophic muscle is suspected or
observed, extra caution must be exercised.
Hyphema
I encountered hyphema one time during strabis-
mus surgery. This complication occurred after tuck-
ing a superior oblique tendon. The patient had under-
gone cataract surgery one year earlier. It was thought
that an abnormal iris vessel in the superior anterior
chamber angle associated with the cataract incision
had been ruptured during manipulation of the globe.
The hyphema cleared in 24 hours without complica-
tion.
Prevention
There is probably no sure way to prevent the
development of hyphema. However, when perform-
ing eye muscle surgery on a patient who has had prior
cataract surgery, I exercise great care while manipu-
lating the muscles and globe.

Posterior chamber
hemorrhage
Greenberg, et. al., reported one patient with pos-
terior chamber hemorrhage. This was associated with
choroidal effusion, presumably caused by a perfora-
tion of the retina involving a retinal vessel. After a re-
bleed one week after surgery that was treated with
bed rest and aminocaproic acid, the patient did well.
One year later, an atrophic scar was noted in the area
of the hemorrhage, where a traction suture had been
placed at the time of surgery.
Prevention
Posterior chamber hemorrhage due to retinal per-
foration is prevented by taking appropriately shallow
scleral bites during surgery. This technique also, or
perhaps especially, should be applied to traction
sutures which are usually placed with larger needles.
Motility disturbance after
nonmotility procedures
Under certain circumstances, cosmetic blepharo-
plasty can result in damage to the inferior rectus, infe-
rior oblique, and/or superior oblique muscles leading
to diplopia. This complication occurs when dissec-
tion in the fat extends beyond the appropriate area,
resulting in denervation or more likely mechanical
restriction of the extraocular muscle or tendon. As
with any motility disturbance due to mechanical caus-
es, that occurring after cosmetic blepharoplasty is
particularly difficult to manage and tends to persist in
spite of attempts to surgically relieve the restriction.
Superior oblique muscle palsy has occurred after
anterior ethmoidal artery ligation for epistaxis.
Superior oblique palsy can occur after the Lynch inci-
sion for exposure of the ethmoid sinus. This sub-
periosteal incision displaces the trochlea which may
not return to its normal preoperative position.
The medial rectus can be literally chewed up
when ethmoid sinus surgery results in fracture of the
medial wall of the orbit, lamina paparecya, allowing
the instrument into the orbit. I have seen two cases
like this. There is no medial rectus function in these
cases. Imaging of the orbit confirms the medial rec-
tus defect. Treatment is by full tendon transfer.
Various diplopia patterns can occur after suc-
cessful cataract surgery from a variety of causes
including presumed myotoxicity from the injection of
local anesthetic.
Complications of strabismus surgery
Postoperative Brown
syndrome
Inability to fully elevate the eye in adduction
because of mechanical restriction around the superior
oblique tendon and the trochlea is the broad definition
of Brown syndrome. This definition includes a wider
array of etiologies than originally described by
Brown, but is a logical extension of the limited con-
dition he described as the superior oblique tendon
sheath syndrome. A common cause of Brown syn-
drome is tuck or some other shortening procedure to
the superior oblique tendon. The unique anatomy of
the superior oblique muscle - trochlea - reflected ten-
don causes each of the components to function some-
what independently. For example, the superior
oblique tendon has a 16-mm potential total excursion
through the trochlea from maximum upgaze to maxi-
mum downgaze. When a tuck is taken in the tendon
or when it is shortened by resection, the amount of
tendon available to move in the trochlea may be
reduced to the point where the trochlear - superior
oblique tendon insertion distance required for full ele-
vation in adduction cannot be achieved and Brown
syndrome results.
Surgeons have disagreed on the incidence of
postoperative Brown syndrome, probably because
many surgeons avoid operating on the superior
oblique when treating patients for superior oblique
palsy. These surgeons will not encounter (produce)
iatrogenic Brown syndrome! Others are very careful
when doing a tuck of the superior oblique and avoid
producing Brown syndrome by doing intraoperative
forced duction testing and by titrating the amount of
tuck to a point just short of limiting elevation in
adduction. Perhaps the most enlightened way to look
at this condition is to recognize that the superior
oblique tendon anatomy varies greatly. In congenital
superior oblique palsy, the tendon is frequently anom-
alous ranging from absence to misdirection to redun-
dancy. In contrast, the superior oblique tendon in
acquired cases is almost always of normal length,
position, and consistency. Thus, patients with con-
genital superior oblique palsy can and in many cases
should undergo shortening of the superior oblique
tendon that can be accomplished without producing
Brown syndrome. In contrast, acquired superior
oblique palsy which is much more susceptible to
postoperative Brown syndrome is best treated in most
cases by surgery on appropriate muscles other than
the paretic superior oblique. This includes the antag-
onist inferior oblique, ipsilateral superior rectus, and
yoke inferior rectus (Figure 15).
473
Chapter 17
Figure 15
Brown syndrome after superior oblique tuck before and after take down.
Prevention
The surest way to prevent Brown syndrome post-
operatively is to avoid surgery to shorten the superior
oblique tendon. The next best way is to evaluate the
superior oblique tendon carefully before shortening
it. This is done by means of forced ductions compar-
ing the two sides and by inspection of the tendon for
location of the insertion and for redundancy of the
tendon. It is a good idea to observe the normal supe-
rior oblique tendon when enucleating an eye.
Knowledge of what the normal superior oblique ten-
don looks and feels like provides a useful background
for evaluating and grading the abnormal tendon. Of
course, excess manipulation should be avoided when
enucleating an eye with malignancy. If a superior
oblique tendon shortening procedure is performed,
repeat intraoperative forced ductions should also be
performed. At the conclusion of the procedure a suc-
cessfully tucked tendon will allow full or nearly full
elevation in adduction with very little increase in
resistance.
Early in my career, I tucked a superior oblique
tendon 22 mm. This produced a perfect result.
Subsequently, I produced a severe Brown syndrome
in 17 of 59 patients undergoing superior oblique
shortening. Nine of these patients required surgical
take down of the tuck. As a result of this experi-
ence, I began to look more critically at the differences
in the superior oblique tendon. This was the genesis
474
of my attempt to classify superior oblique palsy into
congenital palsy with an abnormal tendon and
acquired with a normal tendon.
Treatment
When Brown syndrome is encountered postoper-
atively, time is the first consideration. The patient is
advised to look up in adduction with the involved eye.
If after several weeks to months the restriction per-
sists and annoys the patient, the tuck can be taken
down or the resected tendon can be disinserted or
recessed. In most cases, this second procedure will
correct the problem without seriously compromising
the results of the original surgery.
Symblepharon
Symblepharon may occur with improperly
placed conjunctival incisions (Figure 16).
Prevention
Careful conjunctival incision and closure will
prevent symblepharon.
Treatment
Conjunctival recession with bare sclera closure
should be carried out if ocular motility is restricted or
if the conjunctiva is reddened and unsightly.
 Complications of strabismus surgery

Treatment
A severed vortex vein should be controlled with
local pressure over the bleeding site. Cautery may be
used. The treatment of diffuse orbital hemorrhage
from blood dyscrasia depends on the surgeon's suc-
cess at maintaining a reasonable intraocular pressure
during the acute period. Assistance from a hematolo-
gist is useful and should be sought. Fortunately, chil-
dren and young adults can withstand brief periods (up
to several hours) of very high intraocular pressure
without sustaining damage. If such a hemorrhage
occurs, osmotic agents and digital massage along
with careful monitoring of the intraocular pressure
are indicated. Such hemorrhage occurring after
extraocular muscle surgery should not be treated with
Figure 16 Symblepharon paracentesis.

Orbital hemorrhage
Orbital hemorrhage may occur after a vortex
vein is cut or when a patient has an unrecognized
blood dyscrasia. Cutting a vortex vein causes a large,
usually anterior, hematoma with dark blood that
results in unsightly lid swelling and discoloration.
Blood dyscrasias cause a far more serious generalized
oozing into all orbital tissue. In one operation I did A
which resulted in generalized orbital hemorrhage, 8
mm of proptosis occurred in both eyes along with
intraocular pressure elevation to 50 mm Hg, corneal
edema, and easily induced retinal artery pulsations
(Figure 17).

Prevention
Careful dissection coupled with awareness of the
location of the vortex veins can reduce, if not elimi-
nate, hemorrhage. Blood dyscrasias should be uncov-
ered preoperatively in the course of securing an ade-
quate history. In any case where a bleeding tendency
is suspected, hematologic evaluation should be
obtained. Preoperative use of aspirin can cause a
decrease in platelets which in turn will promote
bleeding during and after surgery. Patients should
stop taking aspirin for 1 or 2 weeks before surgery. If
a patient is on anticoagulant medication, stopping or
reducing this medication should be discussed with the Figure 17
primary care physician. I have operated safely on A A 28-year-old man with 70+ prism diopters of exotropia
many patients using anticoagulants without complica- underwent a 7-mm recession of both lateral rectus
muscles and an 8-mm resection of both medial rectus
tion. In these cases special attention was given to muscles.
hemostasis with meticulous application of wet field continued.
cautery.
I have also operated successfully on an adult
patient with hemophilia after he was prepared with
preserved globulin by his hematologist.

475
Chapter 17
Figure 17, contd
B This photo was taken 24 hours after surgery. The
intraocular pressure which had been near 50 mm Hg in
each eye in the immediate post operative period had by
this time reduced to approximately 25 mm Hg. Proptosis
had diminished from 8 to 2 mm and the corneas had
cleared.
Orbital cellulitis
Orbital cellulitis is a rare but most unfortunate
complication after extraocular muscle surgery.
Proptosis, extreme redness, chemosis, and pain with
lid swelling characterize this complication that can
occur during the first week to 10 days postoperative-
ly.
Prevention
Using aseptic technique prevents orbital celluli-
tis.
Treatment
Culture and sensitivity determination should be
performed and the proper systemic and topical antibi-
otic treatment carried out. A broad-spectrum antibi-
otic may be used before receiving the laboratory
results that would lead to choosing the appropriate
antibiotic. It is probably best to treat such patients in
the hospital with the help of a specialist in infectious
disease.
476
C The eyes were extremely red for weeks.
D The patient had a total recovery and obtained an
excellent surgical result which has persisted for 32 years.
Endophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis is fortunately an extremely rare
occurrence after extraocular muscle surgery. It is rec-
ognized by the usual signs of conjunctival injection,
lid swelling with pain and erythema, anterior chamber
reaction including hypopyon and vitreous cellular
reaction. It occurs during the first week postopera-
tively.
Prevention
Using careful sterile technique while avoiding
introduction of organisms into the eye by not sticking
a needle through the retina into the vitreous will pre-
vent endophthalmitis.
Treatment
Treatment consists of appropriate topical and
systemic antibiotics, including intravitreal antibiotic
therapy with steroids. This treatment can be com-
bined with vitrectomy and is best accomplished by a
retina specialist.

Postoperative communication
Office personnel who handle patient telephone
communication must be aware of the significance of
patients' complaints. These include increased red-
ness, discharge, and increased pain with lid swelling
or vision loss in the early postoperative period of any
eye surgery including eye muscle surgery. Any of
these signs and symptoms are cause for immediate
examination by the surgeon. No patient calling with
these complaints should be put off. These complaints
signal the onset of a potentially serious postoperative
complication. In some cases, early appropriate treat-
ment can mean the difference between a good result
and a lost eye. A good rule is that the surgeon or a
responsible associate should be informed in a timely
manner every time a patient or family member calls
especially during the first week after eye surgery.
Operation on the wrong
muscle
Prevention
The surgeon should confirm preoperatively
which muscle(s) are to be operated and what proce-
dure is to be performed on each muscle. This regi-
men should be followed while examining the patient
in a preoperative holding area with the records of the
most recent office visit in hand. In cases with a comi-
tant horizontal deviation, it usually makes little dif-
ference which eye is to be operated provided the
proper procedure is performed on the muscles. In
most cases I tell the parents or the patient that either
or both eyes may be operated and permission is
obtained for surgery on both eyes. This approach is
especially important because even if both eyes do not
undergo eye muscle surgery, forced ductions are per-
formed on both eyes and this maneuver can some-
times cause a subconjunctival hemorrhage that must
be explained if permission had been given strictly for
surgery on one eye.
In other instances, problems can arise from oper-
ating on the wrong muscle or from performing the
wrong procedure on the right muscle. For example,
I have seen two cases where the superior rectus mus-
cle was resected when the surgeon intended to resect
the lateral rectus muscle. In both cases the patient
had a large hypertropia in the operated eye, a definite
surprise to the surgeon at the first postoperative visit.
In one case, the procedure had been done well, but on
the wrong muscle. Reoperation in this case produced
an excellent result. In the other case, the procedure
had not been performed well and the patient required
several additional surgical procedures including pto-
sis surgery.
Complications of strabismus surgery
Treatment
If the patient underwent a horizontal recession-
resection in the wrong eye, the surgeon would proba-
bly not need to perform another procedure. If verti-
cal surgery has been performed on the wrong eye, the
deviation will be made worse. If the error is discov-
ered in the operating room, the surgery should be
reversed and the proper procedure undertaken. If the
error is discovered postoperatively, the patient should
be treated as a new case and reoperated according to
the findings.
A homily
I believe that it is better to do the wrong proce-
dure well than the correct procedure poorly. This is
not to suggest that the surgeon should be any less dili-
gent. Obviously, it is best to do the correct procedure
and do it well! On the contrary, it is meant to empha-
size the importance of technical competence in the
performance of strabismus surgery. It is obvious that
this admonition does not apply to procedures where
tissue is discarded such as with myectomy or tenecto-
my, but this admonition does apply to the majority of
recession and resection procedures. A poorly execut-
ed but properly planned bimedial rectus recession can
produce results that can never be overcome such as
fat prolapse and conjunctival scarring. On the other
hand, a bilateral inferior rectus resection performed
(for DVD) on a patient who was scheduled for and
needed a bilateral lateral rectus recession was recti-
fied by a skilled but temporarily misguided surgeon
without harm to the patient. The resected inferior
recti were recessed and the lateral recti were recessed
as intended.
Operation on the wrong
patient
Prevention
The surgeon should know the patient. In addi-
tion, the patient's hospital identification should be
checked by nursing personnel to make sure the
patient matches the records. It should be a personal
rule for the surgeon to see and talk to the patient
immediately before surgery. If this is not possible, a
person who knows the patient and can verify that the
patient and the records match should be on hand.
Treatment
If operation on the wrong patient does occur, the
patient should be treated as a new patient.
477
Chapter 17
Unacceptable overcorrections
and undercorrections
Undesirable overcorrections and undercorrec-
tions are an inevitable accompaniment of strabismus
surgery.
Prevention
A careful, accurate workup, correct choice of
surgery, and proper execution of surgery will reduce a
surgeon's unacceptable overcorrections and undercor-
rections. The percentage of cases corrected to within
10 prism diopters of the intended postoperative
angle will depend on multiple factors covered in this
book and also on the surgeon's ability to learn from
experience. Because similar types of patients react in
similar ways, the surgeon should not make the same
mistake repeatedly, but instead learn from his
patients. It should also be emphasized that by over-
478
correction or undercorrection I mean more or less
correction than the surgeon intended. This is signifi-
cant because some categories of patients should be
undercorrected relative to ortho position and others
should be overcorrected.
Treatment
Overcorrections or undercorrections should be
treated according to Cooper's dictum; that is, as
though they were new cases with appropriate med-
ical, optical, orthoptic, or surgical remedies instituted.
In addition, the surgeon should rely on careful meas-
urements, force and velocity studies, and on findings
at surgery when doing secondary surgery.

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 Index

A Binocular function - contd

first-degree fusion, 86
A esotropia. See Esotropia, A haploscope examination, 85
A exotropia. See Exotropia, A screen comitance, 85
A pattern explanation, 108 second-degree fusion, 86
Abduction, limited, congenital esotropia and, 365 stereo acuity, 86
Abscess, suture, as complication of strabismus surgery, Worth four-dot , 86
463 Biometer, A-scan, 54
Absorbable suture, synthetic, reaction to, as complication Biomicroscopic examination, strabismus surgery and, 90
of strabismus surgery, 460 Bishop tucking instrument, 8
Accommodative convergence/accommodation ratio Blepharophimosis, epicanthus inversus and, 23
(AC/A), 89 Blood supply to anterior segment of eye, 15, 23, 31, 35,
Adduction, normal or nearly normal, exotropia after sur- 38, 48, 49
gery for esotropia with, 368 useful guidelines, 48
Adjustable suture, 116-117 Blowout fracture of orbit, 423
Adjustable suture considerations, 260 acute, 424
Afterimage test, strabismus surgery and, 87 Botox, 275-282
Amblyopia, 120 for treatment of benign essential blepharospasm,
Anesthesia, 59, 60, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 75, 76 277
dissociative, 69 for treatment of strabismus, 276
general, 68 indications for, 276
insufflation, 59 injection techniques, 277
local, 69 for blepharospasm and facial spasm, 281
retrobulbar, 70 retrobulbar Botox for treatment of nystagmus, 277
topical, 70 the drug, 275-282
Anesthetic apparatus, layout of, in operating room, 72 Botulinum A-toxin (Oculinum)
Aneurysm, intracranial, right sixth nerve palsy from, 411 technique for injection of, into extraocular muscle,
Angiography, 48 80
Angle kappa, 22 Bradycardia, 68
Anterior arteries, sparing of, recession of rectus muscle, Brain stem stroke, nystagmus after, 449
194-195 Brown syndrome, 147, 156, 216, 232, 234, 235, 263
Anterior ciliary arteries, 48, 50 acquired, 383
anatomy of, 48 canine tooth, 148
sparing of, 50 classification of, 149
Anterior segment ischemia, 48 congenital, 381
Anterior Tenon's capsule, anatomy of, 15, 20, 23, 24, 25, cyst at exit of trochlea, 233
26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 38 directed treatment, 233
Anterior transposition of the inferior oblique, 222-225 iatrogenic, 148, 384
Antibiotics, postoperative, 76 iatrogenic , 235
Antimongoloid palpebral fissure, 21 idiopathic, 147
Arc perimeter, 89 inflammation, swelling restriction in trochlea, 233
A-scan biometer, 54 intratrochlear adhesions, 232
Atropine, 68, 89 postoperative, as complication of strabismus sur-
Axial length, 17, 55 gery, 473-474
restriction at entry of tendon to trochlea, 232
B surgery for, 148
tendon shortness - restriction, 232
Bagolini striated glasses, strabismus surgery and, 87
trauma to trochlea - canine tooth, 233
Barbie retractor, 63
traumatic, 148
Barbiturates, 68
with superior oblique underaction, 156
Bielschowksy test, 107
Brown's superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome, tendon
Bielschowsky head tilt test in superior oblique palsy, 152
sheath stripping for treatment of, 232-233
Bilateral lateral rectus recession for exotropia, 112
Bulbar conjunctiva, anatomy of, 23, 24
Bilateral lateral rectus resection for esotropia, 110
Bilateral sixth nerve palsy. See Sixth nerve palsy, bilateral
C
Bimedial rectus recession
A esotropia after, 375 Canine tooth syndrome, 399
A exotropia after, 376 Caruncle, anatomy of, 23, 24
and lateral rectus resection for esotropia, 111 Cataract extraction from left inferior rectus restriction,
measured from the limbus for esotropia, 109 diplopia after, 435
Bimedial rectus recession-bilateral lateral rectus resection Ceiling-mounted microscope, 74
for esotropia, 111 Cellulitis, orbital, as complication of strabismus surgery,
Bimedial rectus resection, 112 476
Binocular function, 84 Check ligaments, 18, 20, 33
Bagolini glasses, 87 Chin depression in superior oblique palsy, 152

495
Index

Ciancia syndrome, 140, 365 Displacement

Ciliary arteries, anterior, 48, 50 horizontal, of vertical rectus muscles, 190
Cocaine hydrochloride, 70 of horizontal rectus muscles with resection for A
Complications in strabismus surgery. See Strabismus sur- and V patterns, 211
gery, complications in vertical, of horizontal rectus muscles, 190
Congenital absence Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), 88, 373
of inferior rectus muscle, 9 A exotropia, bilateral overaction of superior
of superior oblique tendon, 401 obliques and, 441
Congenital Brown syndrome, 381 refractive esotropia with, 453
Congenital esotropia, 125. See Esotropia, congenital with true hypotropia, 420
cause of, 135 Dissociative anesthesia, 69
characteristics, 126, 140, 141 Divergence excess intermittent exotropia, 146, 378
differential diagnosis, 140 Divergence, movement of eyes during, 32
large-angle esotropia/exotropia, 128 Dolls head, 85
microtropia, 127 Double elevator palsy, 422
monofixation, 127 Double Maddox rod test, 89
results of early surgery, 128 Double-arm suture technique for rectus muscle resection,
small-angle esotropia/exotropia, 127 205-206
subnormal binocular vision, 127 Droperidol, 68
terminology, 125 Duane syndrome, 149-151, 385
treatment, 127 class I, 385
Congenital fibrosis syndrome, 425 class II, 386
Congenital large-angle class III superior oblique palsy, class III, 387
393 class IV, 389
Congenital nystagmus with decreased vision, 446 classification of, 150-152
Congenital superior oblique palsy, 153, 215, 216, 235 common findings, 151
Congenital third nerve palsy. See Third nerve palsy, con- exotropic, 150
genital Huber classification, 150
Conjunctiva, anatomy of, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, simultaneous abduction, 151
30, 32 treatment guidelines, 151
Conjunctival incision, 163 with esotropia, 149-151, 385
for exposing oblique muscles, 166 with limited adduction, 386
Conjunctival recession, 261 with simultaneous abduction, 389
Consent, informed, 60, 457 with straight eyes and limited abduction and adduc-
Convergence insufficiency intermittent exotropia, 146, 379 tion, 150, 387
Convergence, movement of eye during, 32, 34 Ductions, evaluation of, strabismus surgery and, 85
cover-uncover test, 87 DVD. See Dissociated vertical deviation
Cul-de-sac incision, 24, 48, 168
Cyclodiplopia in superior oblique palsy, 152 E
Cyclopentolate hydrochloride (Cyclogyl), 120, 121
Cyclopropane, 68 E chart, visual acuity testing and, 83
Cyst, subconjunctival, as complication of strabismus sur- Echothiophate iodide (Phospholine), 67, 80, 89, 90
gery, 460-461 Education, preoperative, outpatient strabismus surgery
and, 59
D Elevation, Parinuad's paralysis of, 443
Endophthalmitis, as complication of strabismus surgery,
Dantrolene, 67, 68 476
Decreased vision, congenital nystagmus with, 446 Epicanthal folds, pseudoesotropia and, 22, 23
Delle, as complication of strabismus surgery, 463 Epicanthus, 22, 23
Depth of focus, magnification and, 74 pseudoesotropia of, 22
Detachment, retinal. See Retinal detachment true telecanthus and, 22
Diazepam, 70 Epicanthus inversus, 22, 23
Differential intraocular pressure test, 98 Epinephrine, lidocaine with, 69
Diplopia Esotropia
after cataract extraction from left inferior rectus A pattern
restriction, 435 antimongoloid palpebral fissure and, 21
after repair of retinal detachment, 437 vertically incomitant strabismus in, 21
after surgery, 457 after bimedial rectus recession, 375
in superior oblique palsy, 152 bilateral lateral rectus resection for, 110
persistent bimedial rectus recession and lateral rectus resec-
after surgery for intermittent exotropia, 380 tion for, 111
bilateral sixth nerve palsy with, after success- bimedial rectus recession measured from the limbus
ful treatment, 409 for, 109
symptomatic, skew deviations with, 427 bimedial rectus recession-bilateral lateral rectus

496
 Index

Esotropia - contd Exotropia - contd

resection for, 111 intermittent - contd
congenital, 2, 16, 17, 29, 46, 54, 56 choice of muscles and amount of surgery in,
with manifest latent nystagmus, limited 145-146
abduction, and face turn, 365 results of surgery for, 146
without nystagmus, 363 timing of surgery for, 145
exotropia after surgery for, with normal or nearly work-up of patient with, 144
normal adduction, 368 lateral rectus recession-medial rectus resection for,
four muscle surgery for, 111 112
horizontal rectus surgery for, 108-111 sensory, 418
infantile single lateral rectus recession-single medial rectus
essential, 2 resection for, 111
myectomy of medial rectus for, 2 single muscle surgery for, 111
recession of medial rectus-resection of lateral rectus three muscle surgery for, 112
for, 111 two muscle surgery for, 112
refractive/accommodative, 452 V pattern
residual, 367 with overaction of the inferior obliques, 371
sensory, 418 External ophthalmoplegia, progressive, 430
residual, 419 Extirpation of inferior oblique, 222-223
single muscle procedures for, 108-109 Extraocular muscles
three muscle surgery for, 111 anatomy of, 28
two muscle surgery for, 109-111 imaging of, 52
V pattern, 21 incisions in surgery of, 24
antimongoloid palpebral fissure and, 21 innervation of, 15, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36
with overaction of inferior oblique muscles, lengthing of, 14
439 maximum isometric contraction of, 32
with nystagmus, 458 movement of eye and, 32
Essential infantile esotropia, 2 origin of, 18
Ether, open-drop, 68 overaction of, 34
Exodeviations in intermittent exotropia, 143 resting tension of, 32
Exotropia shortening of, 14
A pattern static tension of, 32
after bimedial rectus recession, 376 Tenon's capsule and surgery of, 24
bilateral overaction of superior obliques, and transfer of, 13
dissociated vertical deviation, 441 underaction of, 34
intermittent, 143-148 Eye(s)
after slipped medial rectus muscle, 369 anterior segment of, blood supply to, 48
after surgery for esotropia with normal or nearly center of rotation of, 31
normal adduction, 368 falling, 420
bilateral lateral rectus recession for, 112 growth of, from birth through childhood, 54
bimedial rectus resection for, 112 movement of, 31
caused by a lostmedial rectus muscle, 370
constant, progression of intermittent exotropia to, F
146-150
four muscle surgery for, 112 Face turn, congenital esotropia with, 365
horizontal rectus surgery for, 111 Faden operation, 116, 247-254
intermittent, 142-148 Falling eye, 420
A and V pattern with, 143-144 Fat pad, 24, 25, 30, 37
classification of, 143 Fat, orbital, 14, 15
combined horizontal and vertical deviation Fentanyl citrate, 70
with, 144 Fibrosis syndrome
convergence insufficiency, 146, 379 congenital, 425
divergence excess, 146, 378 Ficks axes, 31, 103
exodeviation in, in newborn, 143 Finder hook, 63
nonsurgical treatment of, 144-145 Finer hook, 63
parental observation in, 144 First-degree fusion, 86
pathophysiology of, 143 Fixation OD, 84
pattern of deviation in, in young, 142 Fixation OS, 84
persistent diplopia after surgery for, 380 Floor-mounted microscope, 74
progression of, to constant esotropia, 146- Fluoromar. See Fluroxene
150 Fluothane. See Halothane
racial predilection in, 143 Fluroxene (Fluoromar), 68
refractive error in, 142 Follow-up of the surgical patient, 120
surgical treatment of, 145 Fornix incision, 24

497
Index

Fracture, blowout, of the orbit, 423 Incision

Fundus examination, 89-90 cuffed superior limbal, 176
Fundus torsion in superior oblique palsy, 152 cul-de-sac, 48
Fusion, 84 for exposing obliques, 174
central disruption of, 457 fornix, 24
first-degree, strabismus surgery and, 86 in extraocular muscle surgery, 24
range of, strabismus surgery and, 86 limbal incision, 28
second-degree, strabismus surgery and, 86-90 Parks cul-de-sac, 168
transconjunctival, 24
G Infection after strabismus surgery, 76
Inferior oblique (IO) muscle
Gastric bleeding, postoperative, 456 anatomy of, 35
General anesthesia, 59, 67, 68, 70, 76 anterior transposition of, 222-225
Generated muscle force, 98 extirpation of, 222-223
Glasses Inclusion of, in lateral rectus insertion, as complica-
Bagolini striated, 87 tion of strabismus surgery, 471
telescopes mounted on, 74 overaction of, V pattern esotropia with, 439
Gold buttons as bolsters, resection of rectus muscle and, 8 recession of, 12
Goldmann perimeter, 89 resection and advancement of, 225
Granuloma, chronic suture, as complicatino of strabismus strengthening of, 115-PB 121, 225-233
surgery, 460 V pattern exotropia with overaction of, 371
Graves ophthalmopathy, 402 weakening of, 115
involving multiple muscles, 405 common complication of, 220
with postoperative slippage of recessed inferior rec- disinsertion and, 220
tus, 403 recession and, 220
Guidelines for application of surgical options, 117 Inferior oblique adherence syndrome, as complication of
strabismus surgery, 470
H Inferior oblique myectomy, 216-220
Inferior oblique traction test, 95
Halothane (Fluothane), 68
Inferior oblique tuck, 225-226
Handle suture, 257
Inferior rectus (IR) muscle
Hang-back recession, 178, 193
anatomy of, 29
Head posture, 138
congenital absence of, 9
evaluation of, strabismus surgery and, 85
left, restriction of, diplopia after cataract extraction
in superior oblique palsy, 152
from, 435
Headband, telescopes mounted on, 74
Lockwoods ligament and the lower lid, 185
Helveston two-step test, 107
recession of, 177
Hemmorhage
resection of, technique of, 207
Orbital, as complication of strabismus surgery, 475
traumatic disinsertion of, 433
Posterior chamber, as complication of strabismus
Informed consent, 60, 457
surgery, 473
Instruments used in strabismus surgery, 63
Herings law, 105-108
Insufflation anesthesia, 59
Hess screen, 89
Intermittent exotropia, 142. See Exotropia, intermittent
High AC/A. See Refractive/accommodative esotropia
'A and Vpattern in, 143
High myopia, 54
age of onset, 142
Hirschberg test, 88
choice of muscles, 145
History of strabismus surgery, 1-14
classification of, 143
Homatropine, 76
combined horizontal and vertical deviation in, 144
Horizontal displacement of vertical rectus muscles, 190
convergence insufficiency, 146
Horizontal rectus muscle
divergence excess, 146
displacement of, with resection for A and V pat-
in the newborn, 143
terns, 211-212
nonsurgical treatment of, 144
resection of, 199
parental observation, 144
management of check ligaments and inter-
pathophysiology, 143
muscular membrane in, 200-202
pattern of deviation in, 142
surgery on
refractive error in, 142
for esotropia, 108-111
results of surgery, 146
for exotropia, 111-113
surgical treatment of, 145
vertical displacement of, 190
timing of surgery, 145
Hyperthermia, malignant, 60, 67, 68
work-up, 144
Hyphema, as complication of strabismus surgery, 472
Intermuscular membrane, management of, in horizontal
rectus resection, 200-202
I intracranial aneurysm, right sixth nerve palsy, 411
Imaging, 52 IO muscle. See Inferior oblique muscle

498
 Index

IR muscle. See Inferior rectus muscle Medial rectus (MR) muscle

Iris angiography, 48 absence of, 432
Ischemia, anterior segment, 469 anatomy of, 16
Isometric contraction of extraocular muscles, maximum, myectomy of, for esotropia, 2
32 recession of, 178
resection of, 199-200
J slipped, exotropia after, 369
Medial rectus-resection of lateral rectus, recession of, for
Jampolsky, spring back balance test of, 32 esotropia, 111
Jensen tendon-muscle splitting transfer, 50 Methoxyflurane (Penthrane), 68
J-shaped anomaly, 471 Microscope, floor- or ceiling-mounted, 74
Moebius syndrome, 426
K Mongoloid palpebral fissure, 21
Motility
Ketamine, 69
in superior oblique palsy, 152
Knapp procedure, 272
Motility disturbance after nonmotility procedures, as com-
Krimsky test, 88
plication of strabismus surgery, 473
Motor physiology, 103
L Motor physiology, anatomy of, 31
Lancaster screen, 89 MR muscle. See Medial rectus muscle
Lateral gaze prism and cover testing, 88 Muscle
Lateral rectus (LR) muscle slipped or lost as complication of strabismus sur-
anatomy of, 28 gery, 466-467
insertion of, inclusion of inferior oblique in, as Muscle transposition procedures, 265-274
complication of strabismus surgery, 471 Muscle-tendon rupture, as complication of strabismus sur-
recession of, 178 gery, 472
medial rectus-resection of, for esotropia, 111 Myasthenia, ocular, 431
resection of, 199-200 Myectomy
bilateral, for esotropia, 110 inferior oblique, 216-220
lateral rectus recession-medial rectus resection for of medial rectus for esotropia, 2
exotropia, 112 Myelomeningocele, mongoloid slant of palpebral fissure
Lees screen, 89 and, 21, 22
Left inferior rectus restriction, diplopia after cataract Myokymia
extraction from, 435 superior oblique, 450
Lid fissure anomalies as complicatino of strabismus sur- Myopexy, retroequatorial, 14
gery, 464 Myopia, high, 35, 54
Lid, upper, ptosis of, as complication of strabismus sur- Myotomized muscles, use of sutures to reapproximate, in
gery, 465 avoidance of overcorrection, 5
Lidocaine (Xylocaine), 68, 69, 70 Myotomy, marginal. See Marginal myotomy
with epinephrine, 69
Limbal incision, 28, 168, 171, 174 N
Limbus, bimedial rectus recession measured from, for
Naloxone (Narcan), 68
esotropia, 109
Nanophthalmos, 54
Listings plane, 31
Narcan. See Naloxone
Local anesthesia, 69-70
Narcotics, 68
Lockwoods ligament, 15, 18, 20, 35, 36, 37, 51
Nasal shift, horizontal displacement of vertical rectus and,
Loss of vision, as complication of strabismus surgery, 458
190
Lost muscle, as complication of strabismus surgery, 466-
Needle, 7, 56, 66
467
design, 57
LR muscle. See Lateral rectus muscle
placement in sclera, 66
placement of, 188
M in sclera, 56
Maddox rod test, 89 variations in, in recession of rectus muscle,
Magnification in strabismus surgery, 74 188
Malignant hyperthermia, 60, 67, 68 Neo-Synephrine. See Phenylephrine
Marginal myotomy, 241-246 Newborn visual sensory system, 135
indications for, 245 Next-day examination, outpatient strabismus surgery and,
partial disinsertion, 246 60
quantifying, 242 Nitrous oxide, 68
Measuring from the limbus, 179 Nonmotility procedures, motility disturbance after, as
Mechanics of surgery, 163-176 complication of strabismus surgery, 473
Medial anterior segment circulation, 48 Null point nystagmus, 444
Nystagmus, 84

499
Index

after brain stem stroke, 449 Patient - contd

congenital esotropia and, 365, 458 under endotracheal anesthesia, monitoring of, 72
congenital esotropia without, 363 Perilimbal anesthesia, 69
congenital, with decreased vision, 446 Peters whip stitch, 7
manifest latent, congenital esotropia with, 365 Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), 80, 89
null point, 444 Phenylketopyruvate, 67
vertical with retraction, 85 Physical examination, preoperative, 60
Nystagmus blockage syndrome, 140, 366 Plica semilunaris, 23, 24
Plication of a rectus muscle, 210
O Posterior chamber hemorrhage, as complication of strabis-
mus surgery, 473
OConnor cinch, shortening of rectus muscle and, 9 Posterior fixation suture, 116, 247
Oblique muscles adjustable faden, 252
exposure of, 174 combined with recession, 252
inferior. See Inferior oblique muscle laudable secondary deviation, 247
superior. See Superior oblique muscle placement of after detaching muscle, 251
Ocular motility studies in the newborn, 133 placement of without detaching muscle, 251
Ocular motor apraxia, 84 reduced lever arm, 249
Ocular myasthenia, 431 reinforced, 252
Oculinum. See Botulinum A-toxin Posterior Tenon's capsule, anatomy of, 24
Operating room Postoperative examination, outpatient strabismus surgery,
layout of, 72 76
patient preparation in, 70 Postoperative gastric bleeding, 456
Ophthalmic needle. See Needle Postoperative nausea and vomiting as complication of
Ophthalmopathy strabismus surgery, 68
Graves'. See Graves' ophthalmpathy Postoperative nausea and vomiting, as complication of
thyroid. See Thyroid ophthalmopathy strabismus surgery, 458
Ophthalmoplegia, progressive external, 430 Prednisolone, 76
Orbit, blowout fracture of, 423 Preoperative education, outpatient strabismus surgery and,
Orbital cellulitis, as complication of strabismus surgery, 59
476 Preoperative medication, 68
Orbital fat, 14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 37 Prism cover testing, 87-89
Orbital hemorrhage, as complication of strabismus sur- Progressive external ophthalmoplegia, 430
gery, 475 Prolapse of Tenon's capsule, as complication of strabismus
Orthotropization curve, 134 surgery, 462
Outpatient surgery, 59, 60, 68, 75, 76 Pseudocholinesterase, echothophate iodide and, 67
Overaction Pseudoesotropia, epicanthal folds and, 22
of extraocular muscles, 35 Pseudostrabismus, 21, 22
persistent, of inferior oblique muscle, as complica- Ptosis
tion of strabismus surgery, 470 epicanthus inversus and, 23
of upper lid, as complication of strabismus surgery,
P 465
Pulleys, 18
Palpebral fissure
anatomy of, 15
R
antimongoloid, 20, 21
level of, 21 Recession
mongoloid, 21 bimedial rectus
Palsy, 47 and lateral rectus resection, for esotropia, 111
double elevator, 422 measured from the limbus, for esotropia, 109
right superior oblique, 47 hang-back, 193
sixth nerve. See Sixth nerve palsy horizontal rectus, vertical effect from, 212
superior oblique. See Superior oblique palsy of inferior oblique muscle, 12
third nerve. See Third nerve palsy of inferior rectus muscle, 193
Pancuronium, 67 of lateral rectus muscle, 178
Paralysis, Parinaud's, of elevation, 443 of medial rectus muscle, 179-181
Paretic muscle, speed of saccade in, 32 of superior oblique muscle, 230
Parinuads paralysis of elevation, 443 of superior rectus muscle, 182
Parks 3-step test, 107 Rectus muscle transfer, 268
Parks cul-de-sac incision, 168 Rectus muscles
Partial disinsertion for torticollis, 194 anatomy of, 28
Patch, postoperative, 59, 76, 457 gold buttons as bolsters and, 8
Patient horizontal
postoperative care of, 76 displacement of, with resection for A and V
preparation of in the operating room, 70-72 patterns, 211-212

500
 Index

Rectus muscles - contd Scleral augmented muscle-tendon transfer, 270

vertical displacement of, 190 Scleral perforation, as complication of strabismus surgery,
inferior. See Inferior rectus muscle 465-466
insertion of, 29 Scleral ruler, 64, 187
medial. See Medial rectus muscle Screen comitance, evaluation of, strabismus surgery and,
plication of, 210 85
recession of Second-degree fusion, strabismus surgery and, 86
bimedial. See Bimedial rectus recession Sensory evaluation, strabismus surgery and, 85
resection effect of suture placement posterior Sensory exotropia, 418
to the muscle hook, 192-193 Sensory fixation, evaluation of, strabismus surgery and, 87
technique of, 186-190 Sensory testing, implications of, strabismus surgery and,
variations in suture and needle placement in, 87
188-190 Simultaneous prism and cover testing (SPC), 88
with sparing of anterior arteries, 194-195 Single lateral rectus-single medial rectus recession for
resection of, 199-214 exotropia, 111
double-arm suture technique for, 205-206 Sixth nerve palsy
horizontal. See Horizontal rectus resection bilateral, 408
resection clamp technique for, 201-205 with persistent diplopia after successful
tandem suture technique for, 208-210 treatment, 409
surgery of, horizontal, for exotropia, 111-113 right, from intracranial aneyrysm, 411
vertical, horizontal displacement of, 190 unilateral, 406
Red lens test, 89 Skew deviation with symptomatic diplopia, 427
Refraction, 89, 120-121 Slanted recession, 196
Refractive error in intermittent exotropia, 142 Slipped muscle, as complicatino of strabismus surgery,
Refractive esotropia 466-467
typical, 451 SO muscle. See Superior oblique muscle
with dissociated vertical deviation, 453 Spectacle prescription, 121
Refractive/accommodative esotropia (high AC/A), 452 Speculum, 16
Reoperation, complications in strabismus surgery and, 458 Spiral of Tillaux, 24, 29
Resection Spring back balance test of Jampolsky,, 32
bilateral lateral rectus, for esotropia, 110 SR muscle. See Superior rectus muscle
horizontal rectus, vertical effect from, 212 Static tension of extraocular muscles, 32
of inferior rectus muscle, technique of, 207-208 Stereo acuity, strabismus surgery and, 86
of superior rectus muscle, 206 Steroids
Resection clamp technique for rectus muscle resection, postoperative, 76
201-205 Strabismus case management index, 359-454
Resection effect of suture placement posterior to muscle Strabismus surgery
hook, recession of rectus muscle and, 192 afterimage test and, 87
Residual esotropia, 367 anatomy and, 15-58
Resting tension of extraocular muscles, 32 anesthesia for, 67
Restrictions, 90 Bagolini striated glasses and, 87
fixing with the paretic eye, 92 biomicroscopic examination and, 90
fixing with the sound eye, 92 complications of
forced ductions, 94-95 acute, allergic suture reaction as, 459
saccadic velocity analysis, 91 anterior segment ischemia as, 469
Retina, examination of, 89 categories of, 455
Retinal detachment chronic suture granuloma as, 460
diplopia after repair of, 437 delle as, 463
surgery for, Tenon's capsule and, 25 diplopia as, 457
Retinoblastoma, 89, 90 endophthalmitis as, 476
Retrobulbar anesthesia, 70 hyphema as, 472
Retrobulbar Botox for treatment of nystagmus, 277 inclusion of the inferior oblique in the lateral
Retroequatorial myopexy, 14, 247 rectus insertion as, 471
Review of muscle transposition procedures, 265-274 inferior oblique adherence syndrome as, 470
informed consent as, 457
S lid fissure anomalies as, 464
loss of vision as, 458
Saccade, 32, 34 motility disturbance after nonmotility proce-
Sagittalization of superior oblique muscle, 231-232 dures as, 473
Sclera muscle-tendon rupture as, 472
anatomy of, 56 orbital cellulitis as, 476
placement of needle into, 56 orbital hemorrhage as, 475
suturing of the tendon to, 5 persistent overaction of inferior oblique mus-
thickness of, 56 cle as, 470

501
Index

Strabismus surgery - contd Superior oblique palsy - contd

complications of - contd class I, 154, 390
posterior chamber hemorrhage as, 473 class II, 154, 392
postoperative Brown's syndrome, 473-474 class III, 155, 393
postoperative nausea and vomiting as, 458 large-angle congenital, 393
prolapse of Tenon's capsule as, 462 class IV, 155
ptosis of upper lid, 465 large acquired, 395
reaction to synthetic absorbable suture as, class V, 155
460 class VI, 155
reoperation, 458 class VII, 156, 399
scleral perforation as, 465-466 congenital, 153, 156-157, 215, 216, 235
slipped or lost muscle as, 466-467 cyclodiplopa in, 152
subconjunctival cysts as , 460-461 diplopia in, 152
suture abscess as, 463 double Maddox rod torsion in, 152
symblepharon as, 474 fundus torsion in, 152
criteria for success after, 455-457 head posture in, 152
design of procedure for, 79-81 motility in, 152
diagnosis and, 90 patient demographics, 158
ductions and, 85 patient history in, 152
first-degree fusion and, 86 patient presentation in, 152-153
follow-up of patient after, 120-121 scheme for etiology, 154
fundus examination and, 89-90 surgical procedures performed, 159
guidelines for application of surgical options in, torticollis in, 152
117-120 treatment classification of, 153-154
head posture evaluation and, 85 Superior oblique resection and advancement, 237
infection after, 59 Superior oblique tendon
instruments used in, 63 bundles of fibers, 45
magnification in, 74 congenital absence of, 401
patient evaluation and, 81-90 exposure of, 174
prism cover testing and, 87-89 resection of, 12
range of fusion and, 86 scanning electron microscopy of, 45
refraction, 89 size of fiber, 45
results to be expected from, 108-117 strengthening of, 237
screen comitance evaluation and, 85 transcutaneous approach to, 9
second-degree fusion and, 86-90 tucking of, 11
sensory evaluation and, 85-87 Superior oblique tendon transfer, 273
sensory fixation and, 87 Superior oblique tendon expander, 234
stereo acuity and, 86 Superior oblique tenotomy, 226-228
technique of, 120 after temporal approach, 228-230
timing of, 121 Superior oblique traction test, 95, 215-216
Worth four-dot testing and, 86 Superior oblique tuck at insertion, 235-237
Stroke, brain stem, nystagmus after, 449 Superior rectus (SR) muscle
STYCAR chart, visual acuity testing and, 83 anatomy of, 29
Subconjunctival cysts as complication of strabismus sur- Surgical anatomy, 15-58
gery, 460-461 Suture granuloma, chronic, as complication of strabismus
Succinylcholine, 67 surgery, 460
Sulfacetamide sodium, 76 Suture reaction, acute, allergic, as complication of strabis-
Superior oblique (SO) muscle mus surgery, 460
anatomy of, 38 Suture(s), 64
anterior shift of, 114-115 animal product absorbable, 64
bilateral overaction of, dissociated vertical devia- double-arm, technique of, for rectus muscle resec-
tion, and A exotropia, 441 tion, 205-206
recession of , 230 nonabsorbable, 64, 66
sagittalization of, 231-232 posterior fixation, 116
strengthening of, 114 resection effect of placement of, posterior to muscle
weakening of, 114 hook, recession of rectus muscle and, 192-193
Superior oblique myokymia, 450 resection using, 5
Superior oblique palsy, 151-154 synthetic absorbable, 65
acquired, 153 reaction to, as complication of strabismus
acquired , 215, 235 surgery, 460
anatomic congenital, 157 Vicryl, 65
Bielschowsky head tilt test in, 152 tandem, technique of, for rectus muscle resection,
bilateral, 397 208-210
chin depression in, 152 tenotomy and, 4

502
 Index

Suture(s) - contd Tuck - contd

traction of extraocular muscles, 8
in strabismus surgery, 263 of rectus muscle, 210
use of, to reapproximate myotomized muscles in
avoidance of overcorrection, 5 U
variations in, in recession of rectus muscle, 188-190
Symblepharon, 24 Underaction of extraocular muscles, 34
Synthetic absorbable suture Unilateral sixth nerve palsy, 406
reaction to, as complication of strabismus surgery, Unique characteristics of each extraocular muscle, 166
460 Upper lid, ptosis of, as complication of strabismus surgery,
465
T
V
Tandem adjustable suture, 259
Tandem suture technique for rectus muscle resection, 208- V esotropia. See Esotropia, V
210 V exotropia. See Exotropia, V
Teaser hook, 63 V pattern explanation, 108
Telecanthus, true, epicanthus and, 23 Versed, 68, 75
Telescopes mounted on glasses frames or headband, 74 Versions, evaluation of, strabismus surgery and, 85
Teller acuity cards, visual acuity testing, 83 Vertical displacement of horizontal rectus, 190
Tendon sheath stripping for treatment of Brown's superior Vertical effect from horizontal rectus resection and reces-
oblique tendon sheath syndrome, 232-233 sion, 212
Tendon, suturing of, to sclera, 5 Vertical nystagmus with retraction, 85
Tendon-lengthening procedures, 2, 3 Vertical rectus muscles
Tenons capsule, 24-25 horizontal displacement of, 190-192
Tenon's capsule surgery on, 113-114
prolapse of, as complication of strabismus surgery, Vertically incomitant strabismus
462 A pattern in esotropia, 21
Tenotomy horizontal, surgery for, 115-116
sutures and, 4 V pattern in esotropia, 21
Tetracaine, 70 Vision
Thiopental sodium (Pentothal), 68 decreased, congenital nystagmus with, 446
Third nerve palsy, 216 Visual testing, 84
acquired, 412 after-image test, 87
congenital, 416 ductions, 85
severe bilateral, 417 fixation, 84
traumatic, with misdirection after successful hori- prism cover testing, 87
zontal alignment, 414 refraction, 89
Thyroid ophthalmopathy, 402 Vomiting, postoperative, 59, 68
involving multiple muscles, 405 Vortex veins, 15, 51, 177, 185, 207
with postoperative slippage of recessed inferior rec-
tus, 403 W
Tillaux, spiral of, 24
Whitnalls ligament, 15, 20, 41
Topical anesthesia, 70
Worth four-dot testing, strabismus surgery and, 86
Traction sutures, 164
in strabismus surgery, 263
Transconjunctival incision, 24 X
Transposition for head tilt without oblique muscle dys- X-axis of Fick, 31
function, 274
Traumatic disinsertion of inferior rectus muscle, 433 Y
Traumatic third nerve palsy with misdirection after suc-
cessful horizontal alignment, 414 Y-axis of Fick, 31
Trochlea, 42 Y split of the lateral rectus, 197
absence of, 47 Yoked extraocular muscles, 106
dimensions of, 44
exenterated orbit, 42 Z
trochlear complex, 42
trochlear components, 44 Z tenotomy, 1, 3
cartilage saddle, 44 Z-axis of Fick, 31
trochlear cuff, 44 Zinn, ligament of, 18, 34, 38
True knot, 187
True telecanthus, epicanthus and, 22
Tuck
for muscle-tendon shortening, 8
inferior oblique, 225

503